In the 78th consecutive week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, prisoners across 48 prisons in Iran launched coordinated hunger strikes in protest against the continued use of capital punishment.
“No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, which has become a symbol of defiance against state-sanctioned executions, was accompanied by a powerful statement condemning the latest wave of executions, systematic repression, and escalating state violence.
A portion of the prisoners’ statement reads: “Once again, the execution-driven regime has unleashed a new wave of violence against society, particularly targeting political prisoners. Since June 22, at least 71 people have been executed in Iran — sentences often handed down without fair trials and based on forced confessions.”
The statement reaffirms the prisoners’ commitment to continue this weekly campaign: “Our voices echo the cry of ‘No to execution’ — a cry that grows louder and more resolute every Tuesday, until the day capital punishment is abolished in Iran.”
The statement also warns of intensifying pressure on imprisoned activists involved in the campaign, detailing a pattern of repression including threats, torture, exile, arbitrary detention, and the summoning or harassment of their family members. These measures are described as part of a systematic effort by the authorities to silence dissent.
Further, the statement highlights the regime’s escalating violence against broader society, especially women and children.
A harrowing example cited is the killing of a 4-year-old girl, Raha Sheikhi, and her family in the city of Khomein, located in Markazi Province.
On July 17, 2025, Raha Sheikhi, along with her parents — Mohammad-Hossein and Sedigheh Sheikhi — and a relative, Azam Heidari, were killed when the State Security forces arbitrarily opened fire on their car.
Families of political prisoners and protesters join the “No to Execution” Campaign
Families of political prisoners have also joined the “No to Execution” Tuesday campaign, holding up photos of their loved ones behind bars and placards calling for the “Immediate Release of Political Prisoners,” voicing their solidarity with the movement.
Alongside them, protesters in cities across Iran—including Kazeroon, Karaj, Fasa, Qaemshahr, Rasht, Shahroud, Chalous, Khorramabad, Ahar, Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Yasuj, Zanjan, and Tabriz—raised banners to express their outrage at the new wave of death sentences and systematic repression.
