October 20, 2026: Prisoners in 66 prisons across Iran continued their weekly hunger strike on Tuesday, October 20, as part of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, marking its 143rd consecutive week of resistance against the death penalty and in defense of the right to life.
The latest protest comes amid a sharp escalation in executions in Iran. According to the campaign’s statement, at least 72 people have been executed since September 23, 2026. Despite intensifying repression, the campaign continues to gain support from international human rights advocates and civil society organizations.
At Least 72 People Executed in Iran Since September 23
In its 143rd week, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign reiterated its opposition to the death penalty as executions, arrests, and repression continue across Iran.
The campaign reported that the authorities had executed at least 72 people since September 23, 2026. Meanwhile, numerous prisoners, particularly those arrested during the January 2026 uprising, remain at risk of receiving or facing the implementation of death sentences.
Amnesty International has warned that 20 protesters arrested during the January 2026 uprising are at imminent risk of execution. At least 34 people have already been executed, according to the campaign’s statement.
The continued use of capital punishment has heightened concerns over the fate of political prisoners and protesters facing death sentences.
During the past week, the death sentence against Varisha Moradi, a Kurdish political prisoner, was reaffirmed despite having previously been overturned by the Supreme Court.
The development has renewed concerns over the treatment of political prisoners and the continued threat of execution facing those imprisoned in Iran.
UN Special Rapporteur and Civil Society Groups Join the Campaign
The campaign has received growing support in recent days, particularly around the World Day Against the Death Penalty, observed on October 10. The expanding solidarity reflects a growing international and domestic opposition to executions in Iran and increased support for prisoners sentenced to death.
This week, Leopoldo Maldonado, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, joined the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign in protest against executions in Iran.
I am joining a solidarity action with political prisoners in Iran participating in #NoToExecutionTuesdays. At 12 am Iran time, I'm going to start a 24-hour #hungerstrike #Iran#stopexecutions #abolishdeathpenalty
The scale of Iran’s use of the death penalty for political reasons… pic.twitter.com/achLGXPQZx
— Leopoldo Maldonado (@SRfreedex_LMG) October 19, 2026
A few days earlier, the “Mothers of Reconciliation of Kurdistan” had also joined the campaign, adding their voices to the growing movement against capital punishment.
The participation of human rights advocates and civil society groups underscores the importance of international solidarity with prisoners facing execution and the urgent need to end the death penalty in Iran.
Hunger Strike in 66 Prisons: A Stand for the Right to Life
For 143 consecutive weeks, prisoners participating in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign have used hunger strikes to protest executions and defend the fundamental right to life.
The campaign’s ongoing resistance across 66 prisons demonstrates that the call to end capital punishment continues to be heard despite the restrictions and repression imposed behind prison walls.
The campaign calls on human rights defenders, international organizations, and people around the world to join the movement, amplify the voices of prisoners sentenced to death, and stand together to bring an end to executions in Iran.
The campaign’s members emphasize that solidarity must go beyond expressions of concern and contribute to a collective effort to protect the lives of prisoners facing the death penalty.
Hunger Strike Continues in 66 Prisons Across Iran
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, members of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign began their 143rd consecutive week of hunger strikes in the following 66 prisons across Iran, reaffirming their opposition to executions and calling for an end to the death penalty.
The 66 prisons participating in the campaign are:
- Evin Prison (women’s and men’s wards)
- Qezel Hesar Prison (Units 2, 3, and 4)
- Karaj Central Prison
- Fardis Prison in Karaj
- Greater Tehran Prison
- Qarchak Prison
- Khorin Prison in Varamin
- Choubindar Prison in Qazvin
- Ahar Prison
- Arak Prison
- Langaroud Prison in Qom
- Khorramabad Prison
- Borujerd Prison
- Yasuj Prison
- Asadabad Prison in Isfahan
- Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan
- Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz
- Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz (women’s and men’s wards)
- Nezam Prison in Shiraz
- Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz (women’s and men’s wards)
- Firuzabad Prison in Fars Province
- Dehdasht Prison
- Zahedan Prison (women’s and men’s wards)
- Borazjan Prison
- Ramhormoz Prison
- Behbahan Prison
- Bam Prison
- Yazd Prison (women’s and men’s wards)
- Kahnuj Prison
- Tabas Prison
- Birjand Central Prison
- Mashhad Prison
- Gorgan Prison
- Sabzevar Prison
- Gonbad-e Kavus Prison
- Qaemshahr Prison
- Rasht Prison (men’s and women’s wards)
- Rudsar Prison
- Huviq Prison in Talesh
- Azbaram Prison in Lahijan
- Dieselabad Prison in Kermanshah
- Ardabil Prison
- Tabriz Prison
- Urmia Prison
- Salmas Prison
- Khoy Prison
- Naqadeh Prison
- Miandoab Prison
- Mahabad Prison
- Bukan Prison
- Saqqez Prison
- Baneh Prison
- Marivan Prison
- Sanandaj Prison
- Kamyaran Prison
- Ilam Prison
- Kerman Prison
- Borujen Prison
- Neyshabur Prison
- Gachsaran Prison
- Nur Prison
- Iranshahr Prison
- Bandar Abbas Prison
- Ziabar Prison in Sowme’eh Sara
- Darreh Shahr Prison in Ilam
- Meshginshahr Prison
Week 143 — October 20, 2026
#No_to_Execution_Tuesdays_Campaign
