London, January 26, 2025 – A coalition of 305 distinguished international experts and NGOs has issued an urgent appeal to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urging his immediate intervention to prevent the imminent execution of two Iranian political prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani (69) and Mehdi Hassani (48).
Earlier Sunday, January 26, Ehsani and Hassani were forcibly transferred to Ghezel Hessar Prison in Tehran, a facility notorious for its executions, raising alarm that their death sentences may be carried out in secret within days or even hours. This transfer followed a trial widely condemned as unjust, where the two men were convicted on politically motivated charges, including “rebellion,” “spreading corruption on earth,” and membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
The appeal, sent via email and marked “urgent,” highlights the critical human rights abuses surrounding their case. Ehsani and Hassani endured torture, were denied fair trials, and were convicted under circumstances that violate international human rights norms. The suspicious severance of communication lines after their transfer has further heightened concerns. Protests by fellow prisoners have already erupted in response to their removal from Evin Prison.
A Call for Immediate Action
In their letter, the coalition called on the High Commissioner to:
- Publicly condemn the imminent executions and demand Iranian authorities halt them immediately.
- Mobilize international pressure to ensure Iran complies with its human rights obligations and ends the use of the death penalty as a political weapon.
- Facilitate access for independent monitors to assess the conditions of political prisoners in Iran.
The letter was co-signed by 152 prominent individuals and organizations, including former political leaders, jurists, Nobel laureates, human rights advocates, and academics. Their collective message stresses the moral and global significance of this crisis, urging decisive international action.
Rising Execution Rates in Iran
This urgent plea comes amid Iran’s alarming escalation of executions, with nearly 1,000 individuals executed in 2024 alone. The regime has weaponized mass executions to suppress dissent and intimidate its populace.
Ehsani and Hassani are notable activists, recognized for their leadership in the grassroots campaign “No to Execution Tuesdays,” a movement that now operates across 34 Iranian prisons to resist the regime’s capital punishment policies. Their activism has made them key targets of the regime’s oppressive judicial system.
The Stakes Are High
The coalition’s appeal closes with a warning: international inaction risks emboldening the Iranian regime to continue its human rights abuses unchecked. The fate of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani represents a litmus test for the international community’s resolve to uphold justice and human rights.
As time runs out, the global community must act to prevent these executions and hold Iran accountable for its actions. The High Commissioner’s swift and decisive intervention could set a vital precedent in the fight against state-sponsored repression.
Urgent Letter to OHCHR to Save Lives of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani in Iran
