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Exterior wall of Khorramabad Prison in Iran
A group of women prisoners in Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz, have joined the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign in protest against the growing wave of executions in Iran. Their decision coincides with International Women’s Day and marks the 59th week of the campaign, which has now spread to 38 prisons across the country.
The campaign, which opposes the systematic use of the death penalty in Iran, has condemned the execution of nearly 100 individuals in the last 20 days, including 28 executions on March 1 alone. In a statement, the imprisoned women denounced the widespread human rights violations and demanded an end to state-sanctioned killings.
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign has called on all prisoners, activists, and human rights defenders to take a firm stance against capital punishment. The statement also highlights the thousands of prisoners currently on death row, emphasizing that for them, every moment is overshadowed by the threat of execution.
As part of the campaign, prisoners in 38 detention centers will stage a hunger strike on March 11 to protest against the regime’s continued use of executions as a tool of oppression.
A translated version of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign statement follows:
The Women’s Ward of Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz Joins the “No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign on International Women’s Day, Marking the 59th Week of the Initiative Across 38 Prisons in Iran
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign extends its March 8, International Women’s Day greetings to all women worldwide, especially the resilient and defiant women of Iran who have endured centuries of severe discrimination and, over the past 46 years, have bravely stood up for their fundamental human rights despite living under a misogynistic religious dictatorship. The campaign also honors the memory of thousands of women who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom.
The oppressive regime in Iran continues its relentless execution spree, with nearly 100 executions in the last 20 days, including 28 executions in a single day on March 1.
This week, in protest against the mass executions in Iran, a group of women prisoners in the women’s ward of Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz issued a statement announcing their participation in the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign and calling for the abolition of the death penalty.
The campaign expresses its gratitude to all prisoners who have joined this movement against executions and continues to urge all prisoners, human rights defenders, activists, and people of conscience to stand against the death penalty in Iran and be the voice of those facing execution.
It is crucial to recognize that thousands of general prisoners and dozens of political and ideological prisoners are currently on death row. For these prisoners and their fellow inmates, every moment is overshadowed by the thought of the noose and the gallows, and their right to life remains at constant risk under the brutal oppression of the clerical regime. Therefore, it is imperative that, amid the flood of news on various issues, the plight of prisoners on death row remains in focus, and a firm stance against executions is taken.
I join other UN experts in urging Iran to halt the executions of Behrouz Ehsani & Mehdi Hassani, following trials reportedy marred by torture, forced confessions and the misuse of terrorism charges https://t.co/hmxs0H06dR
— Prof Ben Saul – UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror (@profbensaul) March 6, 2025
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign Declares Hunger Strikes in 38 Prisons on March 11, 2025 (59th Week)
Evin Prison (Women’s Ward, Wards 4 and 8)
Ghezel Hesar Prison (Units 3 and 4)
Karaj Central Prison
Greater Tehran Prison
Khorin Prison in Varamin
Choobindar Prison in Qazvin
Arak Prison
Khorramabad Prison
Esfahan Asadabad Prison
Dastgerd Prison in Esfahan
Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz
Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz (Men’s and Women’s Wards)
Shiraz Military Prison
Adelabad Prison in Shiraz (Men’s and Women’s Wards)
Borazjan Prison
Ramhormoz Prison
Bam Prison
Kahnuj Prison
Tabas Prison
Jovein Prison
Mashhad Prison
Gonbad Kavous Prison
Qaemshahr Prison
Rasht Prison (Men’s and Women’s Wards)
Roodsar Prison
Haviq Talesh Prison
Dieselabad Prison in Kermanshah
Ardabil Prison
Tabriz Prison
Urmia Prison
Salmas Prison
Khoy Prison
Naqadeh Prison
Miandoab Prison
Saqqez Prison
Baneh Prison
Marivan Prison
Kamyaran Prison
Week 59 – March 11, 2025
“No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign