At Ghezel Hesar prison near Tehran, prisoners have taken extreme measures to express their frustration. Many are refusing food and have sewn their lips closed, after the government ignored their demand for clemency. The protest, entering its second week, started when six men were moved to solitary confinement, raising tensions between prisoners and officials. Videos released by rights groups show a man with his lips stitched shut, urging others to speak for him. Another footage shows a call for medical help as some prisoners grow weaker.
Since January 2024, similar protests have spread to other prisons across the nation. Activists say these demonstrations highlight ongoing concerns about human rights in Iran. Prisoners argue they have been unfairly accused, often under pressure or false charges, and that many trials lacked proper legal defense. The message is clear on the signs they hold—"No to Executions"—and their calls for change reach beyond the prison walls despite government restrictions on information.
Rising executions in a tense region
Rights groups and families have noted a sharp increase in executions this year. Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) reported at least 424 people were executed in 2024, a record number. Most of these cases involved drug crimes, which critics say often target the most vulnerable. In one example, two men were hanged for charges of "waging war on God" over the killing of two police officers in January’s protests. So far this year, 26 others linked to those demonstrations have also been executed.
Tehran-based sources report a troubling trend: when immediate war threats fade, the state escalates internal repression. This was seen last week when US President Donald Trump paused his bombing campaign, then hinted at resuming attacks if negotiations failed. A local source commented: "Whenever the shadow of war over the regime lifts even slightly, the regime becomes more savage." They cited an execution on April 6, the day the US and Iran reached a ceasefire deal, as proof the death penalty has intensified since peace began.
Flawed justice in Iran’s courts
The use of the death penalty for drug-related crimes is not just widespread but deeply contested. Amnesty International has criticized Iran’s revolutionary courts for lacking independence, especially in trials for drug and national security cases. These trials are often quick, and many accused are left without legal help. In some cases, confessions are made under torture, and sentences given without a fair process. Moein Khazaeli, a human rights lawyer, said: "Defendants often cannot reach lawyers or have a chance to defend themselves. Charges are often fabricated against people from marginalized or poor communities."
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of IHRNGO, added that the government has no valid reason to use the death penalty in these cases. Last year, 795 people were hanged for drug-related charges, with little global attention. Amiry-Moghaddam stated that by organizing this protest, prisoners at Ghezel Hesar are risking their lives. They know the government could act at any moment, but hope the world will finally take notice and push back against these killings.
Protests continue, with few results
A similar protest occurred at Ghezel Hesar in October 2025, when 1,500 prisoners took part in a six-day hunger strike. That led to a rare visit from authorities. However, activists report little has changed in prison conditions since then. The new strike is seen as both a repeat and a step further. One prisoner, in a message to the Guardian, said: "We made mistakes out of need, not malice, and we regret them. Why is a first mistake enough for the death penalty?" His words capture the despair of those in a system they call deeply unjust and inhumane.