Nearly a year ago, in February 2024, several prisoners sentenced to death in Ghezel Hesar Prison published a letter announcing that they would go on hunger strike every Tuesday in protest against the death penalty.

In their letter, they wrote: "To make our voices heard, we are compelled to begin a hunger strike every Tuesday starting this week. We chose Tuesday because this day often marks the last day of life for our fellow inmates, who are transferred to solitary confinement in the days prior." This protest movement, initially called "Tuesdays Against Execution," soon spread to other prisoners, including women in Evin Prison, and eventually to many prisons across the country. Now, a year after its inception, the "No to Execution Tuesdays" campaign has become a symbol of solidarity against the policy of execution.

This week, prisoners in Khorin Prison in Varamin announced that they would join the hunger strike and the "No to Execution Tuesdays" campaign. With Khorin Prison joining Evin Prison (women's ward, wards 4 and 8), Ghezel Hesar Prison (units 3 and 4), Karaj Central Prison, Greater Tehran Prison, Arak Prison, Khorramabad Prison, Asadabad Isfahan Prison, Dastgerd Isfahan Prison, Sheiban Ahvaz Prison, Shiraz Military Prison, Bam Prison, Kahnuj Prison, Mashhad Prison, Qaemshahr Prison, Rasht Prison (men's and women's wards), Ardabil Prison, Tabriz Prison, Urmia Prison, Salmas Prison, Khoy Prison, Naqadeh Prison, Saqqez Prison, Baneh Prison, Marivan Prison, Kamyaran Prison, and Tabas Prison, the number of prisons participating in the "No to Execution Tuesdays" campaign has now increased to 27.

Ms. Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a prominent figure in this protest movement, who is herself imprisoned in the women's ward of Evin Prison, has expressed her support for this campaign, calling it a symbol of unity for life and human dignity.

We emphatically support this movement and the justice-seeking voices of the prisoners. We call on all alerted consciences across the country and the world to join and amplify the message of "No to Execution." Let us turn Tuesdays into a day of protest and unity against executions. Let us be the voice of the prisoners who, from the depths of dark cells, cry out for life and justice, while echo the voice of those sentenced to death.

Broad Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran
Congress of Federal Nationalities for Iran

December 19, 2024