Protest Amidst the 40th Week of the “Tuesdays Against Execution” Campaign
On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, coinciding with the 40th week of the “Tuesdays Against Execution” campaign, a large group of families of death row prisoners gathered in Tehran to protest. They marched towards the parliament, chanting “Do not execute!”
Last week, on the 39th week of the “Tuesdays Against Execution” campaign, families of death row prisoners also held a demonstration in front of the parliament in Tehran.
In October and November 2023, a series of protests and gatherings took place in Tehran and Karaj by families of death row prisoners. These were ultimately met with violence and suppression by security forces.
Increased Participation in the Campaign
In the 40th week of the “Tuesdays Against Execution” campaign, the addition of Kahnuj Prison brought the total number of participating prisons to 24. The participating prisons include:
- Evin (Women’s Ward, Wards 4 and 8)
- Ghezal Hesar (Units 3 and 4)
- Central Karaj
- Greater Tehran
- Khorramabad
- Arak
- Asadabad, Isfahan
- Nezam, Shiraz
- Bam
- Mashhad
- Lakan, Rasht (Women’s and Men’s Ward)
- Qaemshahr
- Ardabil
- Tabriz
- Urmia
- Salmas
- Khoy
- Naqadeh
- Saqqez
- Baneh
- Marivan
- Kamyaran
- Shiban, Ahvaz
- Kahnouj
Harrowing Reports from Prisoners
In a statement, the participating prisoners declared: “In the medieval regime ruling Iran, we witness a daily increase in executions. Since October 22, 2024, 27 individuals were hanged over three days, averaging seven executions per day. Since the beginning of this year, nearly 567 individuals have been executed, of which only 150 were between September 22 and October 21.”
Unfortunately, on the previous day, Jamshid Sharmahd was executed after four years of imprisonment. He had been held in a security detention center all this time. Security agencies did not allow his transfer to a general ward for four years, aiming to conceal the torture and human rights violations he endured.
Resilience Amidst Repression
The statement from the striking prisoners also emphasized: “Despite all the repression and instilling fear in society, resistance and steadfastness continue. Last week, during the ‘Tuesdays Against Execution’ campaign, a group of families of death row prisoners gathered in front of the parliament to protest executions.”
