In this open letter, 35 political parties, civil society organisations and broad coalitions warn of the imminent danger of mass executions of political prisoners in Iran following the bloody repression of recent protests. They call on the European Union to publicly demand an immediate halt to all executions, secure the unconditional release of political prisoners, pursue coordinated political and legal action against those responsible, and expand targeted human rights sanctions.
The letter emphasises that the right to life, freedom of expression, the right to protest and assembly, and the right to a fair trial are universal and non-negotiable. Any delay in decisive international action could cost the lives of detainees now facing imminent execution.
Urgent Open Letter
Regarding the Imminent Danger of Mass Executions of Political Prisoners in Iran
Addressed to:
Ms Kaja Kallas
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Ms Roberta Metsola
President of the European Parliament
Madams,
We, the undersigned, write this open letter with deep concern and a sense of urgency regarding the escalating political repression in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the imminent danger of a new wave of mass executions.
Particularly following the bloody suppression of protests on 8 and 9 January, numerous alarming reports have emerged of the killing of a large number of citizens and the arrest of tens of thousands of people. Available evidence indicates that many detainees are subjected to torture, forced confessions, trials lacking even minimum international standards, and ultimately the risk of death sentences being issued and carried out.
According to credible reports by human rights organisations, the judiciary of the Islamic Republic is preparing the ground for the issuance of heavy sentences, including the death penalty, against protesters and civil activists by invoking charges such as “moharebeh” (enmity against God), “efsad fel-arz” (corruption on earth), and “collaboration with foreign agents.” The current trajectory shows serious indications of the formation of staged executions intended to create systematic fear within society.
At the same time, political and civil activists, journalists, women, workers, students, and members of various national, linguistic and cultural communities are facing mass arrests, torture, forced confessions and unfair trials solely for their peaceful activities.
These actions constitute a clear violation of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the fundamental principles of human rights. If continued, they may amount to gross and systematic human rights violations.
In light of the European Union’s declared commitment to the defence of human rights and human dignity, we urge you, at this critical moment, to place the following urgent, concrete and effective measures on your agenda:
- Publicly, at the highest political level, demand the immediate halt to all executions in Iran, particularly the sentences issued against detainees of the recent protests.
- Demand the immediate and unconditional release of all political and prisoners of conscience.
- Within the framework of the European Union, take coordinated political and legal action against officials and institutions responsible for repression, torture and issuing death sentences.
- Actively support, within the United Nations and international human rights mechanisms, the strengthening of independent investigations, effective monitoring and accountability for perpetrators of violations.
- Immediately examine and pursue the imposition and expansion of targeted human rights sanctions against individuals and institutions involved in the killing of protesters, mass arrests, torture and death sentences.
We emphasise that the right to life, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and the right to a fair trial are universal and non-negotiable rights, and must under no circumstances be sacrificed to political or economic considerations.
Today, the danger of execution for many detainees is immediate and real. Any delay in effective action by the international community may cost the lives of individuals who have been targeted solely for exercising their fundamental rights.
We urge you, at this critical historical juncture, to fulfil your moral and political responsibility through decisive, public and practical action.
With respect,
Solidarity for Republic and Democracy in Iran
(Hambastegi baraye Jomhouri va Demokrasi dar Iran)
Signatories:
“The first several organisations listed below are broad coalitions (umbrella formations) encompassing a wide range of groups, parties and organisations.”
- A) Major Currents and Broad Coalitions:
- Broad Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran
(Hambastegi-ye Faragir baraye Azadi va Barabari dar Iran) - Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran
(Kongreh-ye Melliyat-ha-ye Iran-e Federal) - Joint Congress of Democratic and Federal Republicans
(Kongreh-ye Moshtarak-e Jomhouri-khahan-e Demokrat va Federal) - Council of Organisers of the Congress of National Democratic Republicans
(Shora-ye Bargozarkonandegan-e Kongreh-ye Jomhouri-khahan-e Demokrat-e Melli) - Solidarity Network for Human Rights in Iran
(Shabakeh-ye Hambastegi baraye Hoqooq-e Bashar dar Iran)
- B) Parties, Groups, Organisations and Civil Institutions:
- Cologne Alliance in Defence of the People of Iran
(Ettehad-e Koln dar Defa az Mardom-e Iran) - Iranian-German Women’s Association – Cologne
(Anjoman-e Zanan-e Irani-ye Almani – Koln) - Berlin Med – Berlin Medical Staff for Human Rights and Democracy
(Berlin Med – Kader-e Darman-e Berlin baraye Hoqooq-e Bashar va Demokrasi) - Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK)
(Hezb-e Hayat-e Azad-e Kurdistan – PJAK) - Activists for the Path of Freedom – Hamburg
(Talashgaran-e Rah-e Azadi – Hamburg) - Organisation of the Azerbaijan Resistance
(Tashkilat-e Moghavemat-e Azarbayjan) - Left Party of Iran
(Hezb-e Chap-e Iran) - Democratic Party of Azerbaijan
(Hezb-e Demokrat-e Azarbayjan) - Free Iran Democratic Party
(Hezb-e Demokrat-e Iran-e Azad) - Worker-communist Party of Iran
(Hezb-e Komonist-e Kargari-ye Iran) - Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan
(Hezb-e Komala-ye Kurdistan-e Iran) - Baluchistan Human Rights
(Hoqooq-e Bashar-e Baluchestan) - Woman, Life, Freedom – Cologne
(Zan, Zendegi, Azadi – Koln) - HANA Human Rights Organisation
(Sazman-e Hoqooq-e Bashari-ye HANA) - “No to Execution” Protest Tuesdays – Cologne
(“Sehshanbeh-haye Eterazi-ye Na be Edam” – Koln) - Woman, Life, Freedom Network – Belgium
(Shabakeh-ye Zan, Zendegi, Azadi – Belzhik) - Council for the Organisation of Actions in the Netherlands
(Shora-ye Bargozari-ye Aksiyon-ha dar Holand)
