As the “No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign marks its 56th week in Iran, a significant development has emerged from Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah. This facility has become the 36th prison to join the campaign, with inmates announcing their participation in a hunger strike commencing on February 18, 2025, against the archaic death penalty. The campaign continues to gain momentum, highlighting the urgent need for reform and justice in Iran.

The campaign members express their deep sorrow over the tragic death of Amir Mohammad Khaleqi, a Tehran University student who was brutally murdered under suspicious circumstances. They hold the government accountable for this heinous act and stand in solidarity with the students protesting at the university. The support from other educational institutions is deemed crucial in this fight for justice.

Since January 20, 2025, the oppressive regime has executed at least 55 individuals, including two women. In a troubling turn of events, a court in Rasht has reinstated the death sentence of political prisoner Sharifeh Mohammadi, which had previously been overturned by the Supreme Court. In response to this ruling, ordinary crime prisoners at Lakan Prison have also pledged their support by joining the hunger strike alongside the campaign.

The brutal repression of protests in Dehdasht has resulted in widespread arrests and violence against demonstrators. This ongoing tragedy underscores the regime’s cruelty, which extends beyond executions to include neglecting children suffering from serious illnesses. Many families are forced to abandon treatment due to financial hardships, witnessing their loved ones’ slow demise without assistance.

In light of these atrocities, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign remains resolute in its commitment to defending the right to life for those on death row and advocating for children facing severe health challenges. The hunger strike will continue on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, across 36 prisons in Iran.