The No to Executions Campaign on Tuesdays, now in its 31st week, continues to gain momentum as prisoners from the Greater Tehran Prison join the movement, alongside two Italian Members of Parliament. The campaign, which protests the increasing use of the death penalty in Iran, has sparked both national and international support.
Growing Support Within Prisons
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, prisoners from 19 different facilities across Iran, including the Greater Tehran Prison, declared a hunger strike in solidarity with the “No to Executions Campaign on Tuesdays.” The movement, which calls for the abolition of the death penalty and torture, has seen participation from prisoners including from the women’s wards in Evin Prison in Tehran and Lakan Prison in Rasht.
The prisoners issued a statement expressing their determination to continue their resistance against the oppressive measures of the Iranian regime. They highlighted the severe repression faced by those who protest, including restrictions on basic rights such as phone calls and family visits, with notable instances such as the solitary confinement of political prisoner Armita Paveer in Tabriz Prison.
International Solidarity
The campaign has not gone unnoticed internationally. Some prominent Italian lawmakers have publicly expressed their support, signaling a growing global awareness and condemnation of the death penalty practices in Iran. This international backing is seen as a crucial element in amplifying the voices of those inside Iran who are fighting against state oppression.
Escalation of Repression
The newly appointed government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, executing at least 126 people in the past month, alone. Thousands of prisoners across Iran remain on death row, a grim testament to what the statement describes as the systematic incompetence and brutality of the current regime. The prisoners also labeled the new government as one of “repression and execution,” warning that it is likely to lead to even greater societal suppression.
A Call to Action
Despite the mounting pressure, the prisoners remain steadfast in their commitment to resist. They are urging all other inmates across various prisons to join the campaign, as well as calling on conscientious individuals worldwide to support their cause. The campaign’s goal is the abolition of the death penalty and the end of torture in Iran, a cause that continues to resonate both within and beyond the country’s borders.
The “No to Executions Campaign on Tuesdays” is a critical movement against the use of the death penalty in Iran. With growing participation from prisoners and international supporters, it underscores the urgent need for global action to confront human rights abuses in Iran.
