News Center — The escalating wave of executions in Iran has sparked widespread concern among human rights and public circles. Simultaneously with the implementation of new death sentences, protests have erupted inside prisons—most notably a mass hunger strike at Qezel Hesar Prison.

With the increase in executions, around 1,500 prisoners across several units of Qezel Hesar Prison, especially in Unit 2 where death row inmates are held, began a coordinated hunger strike and sit-in, refusing to accept their meals. They are demanding an immediate halt to executions and the complete abolition of the death penalty.

 

According to circulated video footage, Qezel Hesar Prison has witnessed intense tension accompanied by strict security measures by the authorities. Prison officials reportedly activated jamming devices inside the facility in an attempt to prevent information from leaking to the outside world. These devices emit powerful waves that block or weaken all signals, effectively cutting off communication.

 

The health condition of the hunger-striking prisoners in Unit 2 has deteriorated severely after five days without food. Videos leaked from inside the prison show many inmates suffering from alarming physical symptoms, including extreme weakness, dizziness, and lethargy due to prolonged starvation. Despite these critical conditions, the prisoners have been denied any form of medical care, raising serious concerns about their safety and the potential for deaths if the strike continues without urgent intervention.

 

The hunger strike at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj began on October 13, when 16 inmates were transferred to solitary confinement for execution. Hours later, chants of “No to execution!” echoed throughout the prison halls, and prisoners collectively refused their meals in a coordinated act of protest.

 

During the first days of the strike, Iranian authorities executed at least eight prisoners inside Qezel Hesar Prison, fueling anger and fear among the remaining inmates. This escalation prompted other wards to join the protest, vowing to continue their hunger strike until executions are halted and sentences are reduced.

 

As the strike continues, the prison administration has not only ignored the prisoners’ demands but has also tightened restrictions on them, including disabling communication with the outside world to isolate them from any external support or solidarity and to increase psychological pressure.

 

Urgent Appeal

In a moving video released several days ago from inside Qezel Hesar Prison, one death row inmate addressed the Iranian people as the hunger strike in Unit 2 entered its fourth day: “Here in Qezel Hesar, there is a Middle Eastern hell reeking of death. The sound of the dawn call to prayer, lips turning pale from fear of endless executions, and the freezing cold with chains across my chest make me fear that we might be next.

Oh people of Iran, my homeland, the United Nations, human rights activists, and state officials - We are the sons of this land. This time, I ask you to hear our cry through stitched lips and to stand beside us until the machinery of human slaughter in the Islamic Republic is stopped.”

 

 

A group of female political prisoners in Evin Prison issued a solidarity statement yesterday supporting the hunger strikers in Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, as the strike entered its fourth day. The detainees expressed full support for the prisoners’ demands, emphasizing that opposition to executions must become a public issue concerning society as a whole:  “We hope that the protest against the death penalty will become a societal cause.”

 

“The worsening humanitarian situation in Iran is dividing society”

 

The statement, published on the page of civil activist Kolrokh Iraei, who is imprisoned in Evin, expressed protest against the escalating executions in Iran and solidarity with the hunger strikers in Qezel Hesar: “The hand that reaches out to feed itself or its child is sent to the guillotine,

the head that frowns against poverty and hunger is hung on the gallows.

The spread of poverty, corruption, and misery has divided society into upper and lower halves, and even dry bread is no longer found on tables to satisfy hunger.

Anyone who raises their voice against this misery is dragged to the slaughterhouse.”

 

The statement affirmed that the regime, instead of acknowledging its political and economic failures, classifies criminal acts as “violent crimes” or “offenses” to manipulate public opinion against those sentenced to death. This tactic serves to justify executions by focusing on the alleged crimes while ignoring the deeper causes rooted in poverty, corruption, and institutional incompetence. The aim is to divert public blame away from the system and toward individuals by fueling fear and emotional manipulation.

 

It added:Crimes such as murder and drug offenses—punished by death—are the direct result of the regime’s political and economic policies. Protesting against these policies demonstrates public awareness and maturity. Recently, over a thousand death row inmates in Qezel Hesar Prison rose up against executions and government repression. Their political consciousness marks a turning point in the Iranian people’s struggle against tyranny and the death penalty.”

Emphasizing the importance of feminist solidarity

The statement noted that the women’s section of Evin Prison had previously declared its full solidarity with the death row prisoners in Qezel Hesar, praising their protest movement against capital punishment.

It reaffirmed that the female political prisoners stand beside all death row inmates and their families until their demand for the abolition of the death penalty is achieved:

Protesting executions must become a collective issue that engages the entire society,”

 

it concluded, referring to the appeal made by Qezel Hesar inmates to the public in recent days, calling for support of their peaceful movement to stop executions.