UN Special Rapporteur Leopoldo Maldonado Joins the Campaign
Leopoldo Maldonado Gutiérrez, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, has joined the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign with a 24-hour hunger strike. On Monday, 19 October 2026, he announced that he would begin the action at midnight Iran time, coinciding with Tuesday, 20 October — the 143rd consecutive week of the prisoners’ weekly protest.
#StopExecutionsInIran #NoToExecutionsTuesdays
These are some faces of Political prisoners on death row.
Among them are Amir-Hassan Akbari-Monfared (23 years old), Arghavan Fallahi (25 years old), Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani (30 years old, a boxing champion and coach), and Zahra… pic.twitter.com/uZXt3diaYv
— Leopoldo Maldonado (@SRfreedex_LMG) October 20, 2026
Maldonado stated: “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 hunger strike.”
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
He later confirmed: “I have begun my solidarity action in support of political prisoners in Iran and those participating in #NoToExecutionTuesdays. I stand with those facing persecution for their political opinions, expression and peaceful dissent, and reiterate my call for an immediate halt to executions.”
I have begun my solidarity action in support of political prisoners in Iran and those participating in #NoToExecutionTuesdays#hungerstrike
I stand with those facing persecution for their political opinions, expression and peaceful dissent, and reiterate my call for an immediate… pic.twitter.com/YF6WCVyeIX
— Leopoldo Maldonado (@SRfreedex_LMG) October 19, 2026
The campaign, which began in early 2024 in Ghezel Hesar Prison, has grown into a nationwide act of resistance spanning 66 prisons. Prisoners choose Tuesdays because it is the day death-row inmates are typically transferred to solitary confinement ahead of execution. Despite intensifying repression and a sharp rise in executions, the hunger strikes continue.
Exclusive Interview with Simaye Azadi
In an exclusive interview with Simaye Azadi television, Maldonado explained the urgency of his action: “We should not wait until the scale becomes catastrophic before acting.” He said his hunger strike was intended to keep international attention focused on political prisoners and protesters facing execution, emphasizing that solidarity must translate into concrete steps to save lives.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE | UN Special Rapporteur Leopoldo Maldonado: “We Should Not Wait Until the Scale Becomes Catastrophic”
In an exclusive interview with Simay Azadi, UN Special Rapporteur @SRfreedex_LMG, who joined Iran’s “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign with a 24-hour hunger… https://t.co/Jh9ZxS4rTI pic.twitter.com/vuOboq2S86
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) October 20, 2026
European Parliament Solidarity
Members of the European Parliament held a solidarity event and publicly supported the campaign. Petras Austrevicius posted: “No to Execution Tuesday solidarity event at the European Parliament. We stand with people of Iran.”
“No to Execution Tuesday” solidarity event at the European Parliament. We stand with people of #Iran pic.twitter.com/DrVga1TuIB
— Petras Austrevicius (@petras_petras) October 21, 2026
Helmut Brandstätter stated: “Today, we joined the global campaign calling for an end to executions in Iran. I especially think of Mahvash Sabet, who is in prison only because she is Bahá’í. We stand with all political prisoners in Iran fighting against executions.”
Today, we joined the global campaign calling for an end to executions in Iran. I especially think of Mahvash Sabet, who is in prison only because she is Bahá’í. We stand with all political prisoners in Iran fighting against executions. #stopexecutionsiniran pic.twitter.com/V9zzrok7Pv
— Helmut Brandstätter MdEP (@HBrandstaetter) October 20, 2026
The Friends of a Free Iran group in the European Parliament noted that the campaign has grown from a small number of prisoners to a movement spanning 66 prisons, and highlighted that last week UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero joined the action, followed this week by Maldonado. They thanked participating MEPs, with special recognition for Petras Austrevicius for spearheading the initiative.
Today, MEPs stood in solidarity with Iran’s political prisoners participating in the #NoToExecutionTuesdays campaign.
Since January 2024, what began with a number of prisoners has grown into a movement spanning 66 prisons across Iran.
Every Tuesday, prisoners on death row and… pic.twitter.com/1b1F1Oiizb
— Friends of a Free Iran – EP (@FOFI_EP) October 20, 2026
Milan Zver wrote that he supported the campaign and political prisoners in Iran, stressing that the authoritarian theocratic regime uses executions and repression to silence opposition, and calling for an end to executions and the release of political prisoners.
V Evropskem parlamentu sem podprl kampanjo »Ne usmrtitvam« in politične zapornike v Iranu.
Avtoritarni teokratski režim z usmrtitvami in represijo skuša utišati opozicijo. Iranski zaporniki vsak torek z gladovno stavko tvegajo svoje zdravje, da bi opozorili na krivice in smrtne… pic.twitter.com/mbtVZBCfE5— Milan Zver (@MilanZver) October 20, 2026
Danish MEP Per Clausen joined colleagues in the European Parliament to show solidarity with Iran’s political prisoners, stating: “Together with a number of other members of the EU Parliament, I today showed my solidarity with the political prisoners in Iran and demanded an immediate stop to the executions.”
Sammen med en række andre medlemmer af EU Parlamente viste jeg i dag min solidaritet med de politiske fanger i Iran og krævede et øjeblikkeligt stop for henrettelserne her. pic.twitter.com/5UhAPvaXjd
— Per Clausen (@PerClausen3) October 20, 2026
Nobel Laureate and Academic Support
Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties in Ukraine and co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, amplified the call by sharing Maldonado’s statement under the hashtag #NoToExecutionTuesdays.
#NoToExecutionTuesdays https://t.co/gx56NpR4db
— Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina) October 20, 2026
The Academics in Exile Association in the United Kingdom declared: “Full solidarity with the political prisoners in Iran and all those taking a stand against executions. No one should be executed for their political beliefs, peaceful protest, or call for freedom. The international community must act now to stop executions and abolish the death penalty in Iran. Silence is not an option.”
Full solidarity with the political prisoners in Iran and all those taking a stand against executions. No one should be executed for their political beliefs, peaceful protest, or call for freedom. The international community must act now to stop executions and abolish the death… https://t.co/rmpjmlDWlL
— Academics In Exile Association (@iranianacademic) October 19, 2026
Iran Freedom Network thanked Maldonado for amplifying the voices of political prisoners through his solidarity hunger strike.
Iran Freedom Network thanks @SRfreedex_LMG, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion & Expression, for his 24-hour solidarity hunger strike supporting Iran’s “#NoToExecutionTuesdays” campaign & amplifying the voices of political prisoners. #StopExecutionsInIran #NoDeathPenalty https://t.co/7up7HRyAcI
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) October 19, 2026
Voices of Iranian Freedom Advocates
Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the Iranian Resistance joined the action in large numbers. Sara Fallah reported being on hunger strike on 20 October in support of prisoners in their 143rd week across 66 prisons.
On hunger strike today October 20th.
Supporting political prisoners in Iran, on their 143rd week of hunger strike across 66 prisons to halt executions in #Iran #StopExecutionsInIran#NoToExecutionTuesdays
🇨🇦🙏@SenatorHousakos @mpziad @StephanieKusie @shuvmajumdar@jamesbezan… https://t.co/4IaLcqvLkp— Sara Fallah Director of ICWAF. (@shahnazfarzaneh) October 20, 2026
Sahar Sanaie stated she was joining Maldonado’s hunger strike in solidarity with political prisoners on death row.
In solidarity with political prisoners in death row in #Iran, I join special rapporteur, Leopoldo Maldonado's #HungerStrike in #NoToExecutionTuesdays#StopExecutionsInIran @GermanyDiplo @drmaisato @DEonHumanRights @max_lucks @MechthildHeil https://t.co/YjKyYmn9GH pic.twitter.com/8XR3L2QPih
— Sahar Sanaie (@SanaieSahar) October 20, 2026
Shahram G posted that he was joining the campaign in support of the UN Special Rapporteur’s action.
In solidarity with Iranian political prisoners, and in support of great move by @SRfreedex_LMG Leopoldo Maldonado , I join the #NoToExecutionTuesdays #StopExecutionsinIran pic.twitter.com/ET5L0Lw3ys
— Shahram G (@g_shahram) October 20, 2026
Others, including emma_azadi (joining for a second week) and numerous activists from Europe, Canada, and elsewhere, shared messages of solidarity, photos, and calls to #StopExecutionsInIran and #NoToExecutionTuesdays.
This is my second week joining political prisoners in Iran and thousands of young Iranians around the world in the hunger strike for #notoexecutiontuesdays campaign. Until every political prisoner is free, we will keep raising our voices.#StopExecutionsInIran@AnitaAnandMP @CBC pic.twitter.com/ZtNHrsQ83U
— emma (@emma_azadi) October 20, 2026
I join Special Rapporteur @Ginitastar in the No to Execution Tuesdays hunger strike
👉👉In solidarity with Iran’s political prisoners and protesters.✴️ Their lives must be protected✴️
❌#NotoExecutionTuesdays❌ ❌#StopExecutionsInIran❌@drmaisato @AmnestyIran @volker_turk pic.twitter.com/0JNFcErixQ
— Elham Sajedian (@ElhamSajedian) October 13, 2026
With deep appreciation and an understanding of your sense of responsibility in supporting the "Tuesdays: No to Executions" campaign, please consider us to be with you.#NotoExceutionTuesdays #StopExecutionsInIran https://t.co/iB8PwfDYZL pic.twitter.com/L3La6VzsYn
— Bayatlari (Münster)انجمن دفاع از حقوق بشر مونستر (@Bami123) October 20, 2026
66 prisons across Iran mark 143rd week of ‘No to Executions Tuesdays’ campaign amidst surging hangings The Iranian American Community of Georgia stands with Iran’s prisoners in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign. We raise our voices for every life at risk. Stop executions.… pic.twitter.com/Rsw55VzPTk
— Iranian American community of Georgia (@iacogeorgia) October 20, 2026
On #HungerStrike as I believe that the people of Iran should have the right to their political opinions without fear of being arrested + executed.
An Iran where their ethnicity + religion does not equate oppression.#NoToExecutionTuesdays#StopExecutionsInIran@SRfreedex_LMG pic.twitter.com/GoYlHT689C
— Sabba Rezai (@SamiraRezai1) October 20, 2026
These individual actions form part of a broader wave of support from Iranians worldwide who continue to stand with political prisoners risking their lives inside Iran’s prisons.
Growing International Momentum
Maldonado’s decision to join the hunger strike — following Gina Romero’s action the previous week — marks a significant escalation in international attention to the prisoners’ sustained resistance. The combination of UN expert engagement, European parliamentary solidarity, support from a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and the ongoing participation of Iranian advocates underscores the growing recognition that executions in Iran, particularly those targeting political expression and protest, demand urgent and concrete international response.
Mr. Tunne Kelam, long time supporter of the Iranian Resistance and former MEP supports #NotoExecutionTuesdays pic.twitter.com/ivrmBaurVq
— Nasser Razii (@n_m_raz) October 20, 2026
The prisoners’ message remains clear after 143 weeks: the death penalty must end, and those sentenced for their beliefs and peaceful dissent must not be silenced by execution.
