Political Prisoners Launch Hunger Strike Amid Escalating Wave of Executions
Political and ideological prisoners participating in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign marked the 124th consecutive week of their protest on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, by launching a coordinated hunger strike in 56 prisons across Iran. The action comes in response to a sharp increase in executions since late May and the issuance and confirmation of new death sentences against several political prisoners.
The campaign, which has become one of the longest-running organized prison protests against capital punishment in Iran, once again called on the public to oppose executions and defend the fundamental right to life.
Campaign Backs Student Protests for Educational Justice
In a statement released on the occasion of its 124th week, the campaign expressed support for recent student protests in several Iranian cities. The statement praised students who took to the streets to demand their rights and protest policies that activists say undermine educational justice.
According to the campaign, these demonstrations reflect growing dissatisfaction among young people with the regime’s policies and represent hope for Iran’s future.
Nearly 50 Executions Reported Since Late May
The statement warned that the Iranian regime has intensified its use of executions as a tool of repression. Since the beginning of the Iranian month of Khordad on May 22, at least 49 prisoners have reportedly been executed across the country.
Campaign members also condemned the recent confirmation of the death sentence against political prisoner Yaghoub Derakhshan, currently held in Lakan Prison in Rasht. In addition, death sentences have reportedly been issued against political prisoners Yasin Shahbakhsh, Hassan Mosallawi, and Ali Kamali.
Political Prisoners Face Imminent Risk of Execution
The campaign further raised alarm over the fate of four political prisoners in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. According to the statement, Farshad Etemadifar, Alireza Mardasi, Masoud Jamei, and Reza Abdali are at immediate risk of execution.
Campaign activists warned that these cases form part of a broader strategy of intimidation and suppression aimed at silencing dissent.
Prisoners Reaffirm Commitment to the Right to Life
Despite years of pressure, harassment, and the execution of some campaign supporters, participants pledged to continue resisting what they described as inhumane executions.
The statement emphasized that the right to life is the foundation of all human rights and called on all sectors of society to speak out against death sentences and their implementation. It stressed that justice cannot be achieved through executions but through respect for human rights, freedom, and human dignity.
Hunger Strike Held in 56 Prisons Nationwide
During its 124th week, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign carried out coordinated hunger strikes in 56 prisons throughout Iran, including Evin Prison, Qezel Hesar Prison, Greater Tehran Prison, Qarchak Prison, Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, Zahedan Prison, Urmia Prison, Tabriz Prison, Sanandaj Prison, and dozens of other detention facilities across the country.
The campaign continues to serve as a collective platform for prisoners opposing capital punishment and advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in Iran.
