The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign has entered its 54th consecutive week, with political prisoners and inmates in 35 prisons across Iran staging protests against the regime’s excessive use of the death penalty. This movement, which has been growing in momentum, is a direct response to the alarming rise in executions carried out by the Iranian government.
Expansion of the Campaign
In recent weeks, the campaign has expanded further, now including Gonbad-e Kavus Prison, a significant addition that highlights the increasing participation of inmates nationwide. Despite the Iranian authorities’ continuous crackdowns and repressive measures, prisoners remain committed to the cause, using hunger strikes and other forms of peaceful protest to make their voices heard.
A Response to a Surge in Executions
The intensified protests come in the wake of a surge in executions across the country. According to reports, at least 30 prisoners have been executed in just the past 15 days, underscoring the Iranian judiciary’s continued reliance on the death penalty as a means of control. Many of these executions are carried out without fair trials, with prisoners often subjected to coerced confessions under torture.
The regime’s increasing use of capital punishment is widely seen as an attempt to instill fear and suppress dissent. However, the persistence of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign demonstrates that this strategy has failed to silence the opposition within Iran’s prison system. Instead, more prisoners are joining the movement, signaling growing defiance against the judiciary’s brutal policies.
Hunger Strikes as a Form of Protest
A key feature of the campaign is the widespread use of hunger strikes by prisoners as a means of civil disobedience. Political prisoners and inmates from various backgrounds have chosen this form of protest to draw international attention to their plight and to demand an end to executions in Iran. Hunger strikes have long been used as a powerful tool of resistance, especially in authoritarian regimes where other forms of protest are heavily suppressed.
Calls for International Action
The ongoing campaign has also prompted calls from human rights organizations and activists for the international community to take a firmer stance against Iran’s human rights violations. Advocacy groups have urged the United Nations and global human rights bodies to increase pressure on the Iranian government to halt executions and ensure due process for all prisoners.
A Testament to Resilience
Despite the harsh conditions inside Iranian prisons, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign has persisted for over a year, showcasing the resilience of the prisoners who refuse to be silenced. Their determination to continue their protests, even in the face of severe retaliation, highlights the deep-seated opposition to the regime’s widespread use of capital punishment.
As the movement continues to gain momentum, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights in Iran. The bravery of these prisoners underscores the urgent need for global intervention to address the rampant injustices within the Iranian judicial system.
🚨 54 Weeks of Resistance 🚨
On Feb 4, 2025, prisoners in 35 Iranian prisons went on on hunger strike for the 54th week of the #NoToExecutionTuesdays campaign. Their message is clear: “The fight against oppression will not be silenced.”#StopExecutionsInIran #نه_به_اعدام pic.twitter.com/2x4rNOTNwO— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) February 4, 2025