On 8 March 2025, families of Iranian prisoners sentenced to death courageously gathered in protest outside Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, demanding the cancellation of unjust and inhumane execution sentences. This demonstration coincided with the 58th consecutive week of hunger strikes organised as part of the nationwide ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ campaign in Iranian prisons. The families of thoes iranian prisoners carried banners with the slogan ‘No to Execution’ and photos of political prisoners facing execution, including Vahid Bani Amerian, Pouya Ghobadi, Ali Akbar Daneshvarkar, Behrouz Ehsani Eslamloo, Mehdi Hassani, Mohammad Javad Vafaie Sani and Abolhassan Montazer.
We salute and honour the extraordinary courage of these families, whose brave actions at great personal risk send a powerful message of resistance to Iran’s oppressive regime and its cruel use of the death penalty. This meeting follows recent news that the Iranian judiciary has upheld the death sentences of several of these prisoners, underlining the urgency and bravery of the families’ continued resistance.
Background: Tuesdays “No to Executions”
A Weekly Cry for Justice and Human Dignity
Tuesdays “No to Executions” is a weekly act of defiance and solidarity initiated by prisoners and their families in Iran, aimed at ending the oppressive and widespread use of the death penalty. Every Tuesday, prisoners, families, and human rights activists join together in a collective hunger strike, protests, and online actions, highlighting the regime’s continuous human rights abuses and advocating for the abolishment of executions throughout Iran.
How Tuesdays “No to Executions” Began
This influential movement started as a grassroots response to the Iranian regime’s aggressive and systematic implementation of capital punishment against political prisoners and marginalized groups. Iran consistently ranks among countries with the highest execution rates worldwide, and its judiciary frequently uses death sentences as a political weapon to silence dissent, suppress minority groups, and intimidate the population into submission. In response, the “No to Executions” initiative emerged as a powerful symbol of unity and resistance, directly confronting the brutality of capital punishment and demanding respect for human life and dignity.
Families Leading the Charge
Central to the Tuesdays “No to Executions” movement are the courageous families of prisoners facing death sentences. Each week, these families bravely gather outside prisons, notably Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, holding banners emblazoned with the slogan “No to Executions” and displaying photographs of their loved ones sentenced to death. Despite persistent intimidation, threats, and the risk of imprisonment themselves, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and children of political prisoners remain determined, amplifying their demands for justice and humane treatment.
Recently, families have staged numerous protests outside Evin Prison, publicly challenging unjust sentences handed down to political prisoners and spotlighting the devastating human toll of Iran’s execution policy. The steadfastness of these families not only pressures Iranian authorities but also inspires global advocacy and draws international attention to the human rights crisis unfolding behind prison walls.
Global Impact and International Support
The consistent bravery shown by these families has not gone unnoticed internationally. Human rights organizations and activists around the globe have joined in solidarity with Iranian families, amplifying their message across media platforms and demanding accountability from Iranian authorities. This global attention has become increasingly vital, especially after recent confirmations that the Iranian regime has upheld the execution orders for several political prisoners, intensifying the urgency of this human rights crisis.
The Legacy and Impact of the 2022 Uprising
The impact and inspiration of the Tuesdays “No to Executions” campaign were significantly amplified following Iran’s nationwide uprising in 2022, led prominently by brave Iranian women and youth. Women played a pivotal role in initiating and sustaining nationwide protests, marking a powerful chapter in the country’s ongoing struggle against oppression. Their sacrifices, including many who became martyrs for freedom, have elevated global awareness and intensified calls for change, justice, and the end of executions.
Solidarity with Iran’s Brave Families
Today, Tuesdays “No to Executions” stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience and bravery of Iranian families who risk everything to fight for the lives of their loved ones. Each act of resistance reverberates beyond prison walls, reaching an international audience determined to support their quest for justice. Their voices echo loudly, signaling clearly to the Iranian regime—and the world—that the fight against executions is ongoing, unyielding, and more vital than ever.
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