Statement from Families of Khavaran in Iran: End the Executions of Freedom-Seeking Protesters

A group of plaintiffs representing the families of executed prisoners from the 1980s, known as the 'Families of Khavaran,' issued a statement calling for an end to the 'executions of freedom-seeking protesters' by the Islamic Republic. In the statement from the 'Families of Khavaran' in Iran, released on Saturday, January 27, and a copy of which was provided to Voice of America, they referred to the 'oppressive' executions of Mohammad Qabadelu and Farhad Salimi in the early hours of January 23, expressing sympathy for their families and emphasizing to the officials of the Islamic Republic: 'End the executions of freedom-seeking protesters.' These families of plaintiffs added: 'The execution of these young men continues the same repressive and anti-freedom policy that the Islamic Republic has pursued since coming to power in dealing with protesters and opponents.' The statement highlighted the 'mass executions' of political prisoners 'in the 1980s and summer of 1988' following 'sham trials lasting a few minutes without the right to an attorney and the opportunity to defend themselves' and 'secret burials in Khavaran cemetery and other nameless cemeteries across the country,' stressing that 'the killing of protesters and political opponents has continued in various forms and methods throughout the past 45 years.' In the statement, the families of plaintiffs noted that 'at least 11 young protesters and freedom-seekers who were arrested during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement are on death row,' adding: 'The grieving and seeking justice families not only have no opportunity for justice but are also facing harassment and persecution from security and military agencies. The treatment, threats, and arrests of the seeking justice families, some of whom are currently serving heavy sentences in prison, is the same treatment that the Islamic Republic and its security, judicial, and military agencies have inflicted on us, the Khavaran families, for the past 45 years.' The 'Families of Khavaran' described the death penalty as 'organized state murder and a heinous and inhumane act' and condemned it 'under any circumstances,' adding that 'all perpetrators and those who have been involved in any capacity in the killing, torture, forced confessions, issuance of prison and death sentences against opponents must be tried and punished in public courts with the presence of grieving families and their chosen lawyers,' as they believe 'only through such trials can the truth be revealed and there can be hope that such crimes will not be repeated.' Following the executions of Mohammad Qabadelu and Farhad Salimi by the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic in Qazalhesar prison, a widespread wave of opposition to executions has emerged in Iran and worldwide.