On November 28th, Geneva bore witness to a profound act of solidarity and compassion. A humanitarian vigil organized by Verein Welle and other advocacy groups brought together activists, human rights defenders to raise their voices against the death penalty, with a particular focus on the alarming situation in Iran.
The event highlighted the shocking reality of over 520 executions in Iran since August 2024, a number that underscores the alarming pace of these killings under the current regime. Speakers at the vigil condemned the regime’s use of executions as a tool of oppression and control, silencing dissent and spreading fear among its citizens. Many of the executed individuals were denied fair trials, a blatant violation of international human rights standards.
Several participants addressed the crowd, including survivors of oppressive regimes, legal experts, and representatives from humanitarian organizations. Their speeches served as a stark reminder of the human cost behind these numbers. They called on the international community to take urgent action to hold the Iranian government accountable and to push for a moratorium on executions.
One speaker passionately remarked:
“Every execution is not just a life lost but a failure of humanity to uphold the sanctity of life. We must act now to end this brutality.”
The vigil also provided a space for attendees to write letters of solidarity to the families of victims and sign petitions urging world leaders to increase pressure on Iran to abolish the death penalty. It was a powerful reminder that collective action can bring about change, even in the face of grave injustices.
English 
German 
French