In the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025, families of death row prisoners once again gathered in Tehran to protest the escalating wave of executions across the country, particularly at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. The demonstration took place in front of the regime’s parliament near Baharestan Square, an area that had been placed under tight security and police control since early morning.
Voices and Messages of the Families
Carrying placards and leaflets, participants demanded an immediate halt to executions and the complete abolition of the death penalty. One sign held by a young child drew particular attention; it read:
“Execution does not end a mistake—it begins new suffering for defenseless children.”
Chants of “No to execution” and “No to executions in Ghezel Hesar” echoed throughout the gathering, reflecting growing public outrage over the regime’s lethal policies toward prisoners.
Security Threats and Intimidation
During the protest, security and police forces sought to suppress the demonstration through intimidation and threats of arrest. According to eyewitnesses, several participants had their mobile phones confiscated, and some were violently dispersed.
Despite these pressures, the families insisted that their gathering was entirely peaceful and intended only to amplify the voices of their loved ones and draw the attention of international human rights organizations.
Persistence of the Families’ Protests
This demonstration follows a series of similar protests held in recent weeks by the families of death row prisoners. Just a week earlier, on October 19, a comparable gathering in the same location was violently attacked by security forces, leading to several temporary detentions.
Families say that official promises to review the cases or halt executions have proven empty, while the number of executions in October has risen alarmingly. They have vowed to continue their protests until the death penalty is fully abolished, and the regime’s systematic killings of prisoners come to an end.
