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Global Call to Action: Online Conference Highlights the ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ Campaign and Iran’s Human Rights Crisis

On January 21, 2025, Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM) hosted an online conference to mark the first anniversary of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” hunger strikes in Iranian prisons. The event shed light on Iran’s escalating execution rates and the steadfastness of political prisoners, urging Western nations, particularly European countries and institutions, to condition their interactions with the Iranian regime on tangible human rights advancements, notably the cessation of executions and the liberation of political detainees.

Esteemed speakers at the conference included:

– Herta Däubler-Gmelin, former German Minister of Justice
– Ingrid Betancourt, former Colombian senator and presidential candidate
– Tahar Boumedra, former Chief of the Human Rights Office of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq and President of “Justice for the Victims of the 1988 Massacre in Iran” (JVMI)
– Elisabetta Zamparutti, member of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and board member of the Italian NGO “Hands Off Cain”

The discussions highlighted that the surge in executions reflects the regime’s apprehension about mounting opposition and public dissatisfaction. In 2024 alone, Iran recorded 993 executions, with 650 occurring under President Masoud Pezeshkian’s tenure—the highest in three decades—including 32 women and 6 juveniles, underscoring a profound human rights crisis.

Mrs. Däubler-Gmelin reaffirmed her support for the “No to Executions” campaigns, specifically advocating for the immediate release of political prisoners Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani, whose death sentences were recently confirmed due to their association with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). She emphasized their pivotal role in bringing the “No to Executions Tuesdays” to prominence.

Tahar Boumedra pointed out that Iran’s execution spree contravenes international laws and treaties, stating that these mass executions serve as political tools violating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and may constitute crimes against humanity. He called for holding responsible officials accountable in international courts.

Elisabetta Zamparutti noted that the nearly 1,000 executions form a cornerstone of the regime’s survival strategy. Expressing solidarity, she joined the “No to Execution Tuesdays” hunger strike, highlighting that being on death row in Iran represents one of the darkest places globally.

Ingrid Betancourt honored political prisoner Saeed Masouri, one of Iran’s longest-held political detainees, referencing his open letter shared during the conference. She argued that the peak in executions indicates the regime’s reliance on fear and violence to maintain control, asserting that a government resorting to mass killings and imprisonments is a failed regime. She urged the international community to recognize the regime’s true nature and take decisive action to halt its oppressive practices.

The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, initiated by death row inmates at Qezel-Hesar Prison on January 30, 2024, has expanded to over 34 prisons across Iran. Participants engage in hunger strikes every Tuesday to protest unjust treatment and the harsh realities of death row, symbolically choosing Tuesday as their day of action. Despite violent crackdowns, the resilience of political prisoners has garnered public support and amplified calls for justice.

The conference concluded with a strong appeal to the international community, especially European nations, to tie their engagement with Iran to concrete human rights improvements. Speakers urged that diplomatic relations be contingent upon halting executions and releasing political prisoners, leveraging influence to advocate for justice. The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing struggle against political repression in Iran, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to support those fighting for justice and human rights within the country.

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Global Call to Action: Online Conference Highlights the ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ Campaign and Iran’s Human Rights Crisis