Letter of women political prisoners in Evin: Stop Executions in Iran!
December 12, 2022
The executions of two imprisoned protesters, Majidreza Rahnavard and Mohsen Shekari have fueled the public’s anger
A group of women political prisoners in Evin expressed their protest by publishing a letter. They announced that on Monday, December 12, they would hold a sit-in in front of the sentry office in prison and chant slogans to condemn the death sentences issued and carried out by the clerical regime’s Judiciary.
The Iranian Judiciary implemented the death sentences of two detained young protesters on December 8 and 12.
In their letter, women political prisoners in Evin emphasized: “There is no other way! This time, let us conquer the city’s streets with the cries of ‘stop the executions.’ Let us carry on widespread strikes with more power. We are also with you, although in prison, we declare our support for (those demonstrating in) the ‘streets,’ of which we have been deprived because we are incarcerated. We will express our opposition to the executions in the office of the sentry officer of the women’s ward of Evin prison, on December 12. We will hold a sit-in, singing anthems and chanting slogans.”
Women political prisoners in Evin protest executions of protestors
The full text of the protest letter by women political prisoners in Evin follows:
Stop the executions!
In recent months, we, the freedom-loving and egalitarian people of Iran have joined forces to overthrow the dictatorial regime of the Islamic Republic. We have risen up in our cities and villages, streets and homes, inside and outside the country.
The regime’s brutal and extensive repression throughout the country has dispersed powerful street protests in recent days. Instead of retreating from killings in the streets and repression, the regime has taken a step forward and started executions to terrorize the public. They executed those who were standing shoulder to shoulder in the streets. The execution of Mohsen Shekari, who protested in the streets, was a blatant crime that stunned the world.
Let us remember our heartfelt pledges, our warm hands held together, the cries rising from our chests, and the pent-up anger in our throats. Let us not leave them alone and rise up to save the lives of those who rose up but are now in captivity. Let us stop the cycle of state murders. Let us rise up to tear the noose around the throats of our youths and crush the death gallows.
There is no other way! This time, let us conquer the city’s streets with the cries of ‘stop the executions.’ Let us carry on widespread strikes with more power. We are also with you, although in prison, we declare our support for (those demonstrating in) the ‘streets,’ of which we have been deprived because we are incarcerated. We will express our opposition to the executions in the office of the sentry officer of the women’s ward of Evin Prison on December 12. We will hold a sit-in, singing anthems and chanting slogans.
The executions of two imprisoned protestors further outraged the public
At dawn on Monday, December 12, 2022, the death sentence of 23-year-old Majidreza Rahnavard was carried out in public in Mashhad. Also, on Thursday, December 8, 2022, the death sentence of Mohsen Shekari, another detained protester, who was also 23 years old, was carried out in Gohardasht prison (Rajai Shahr) on charges of Moharebeh (waging war on God) through blocking the street.
The night before the execution of Majidreza Rahnavard, his mother met him. Neither of them knew about the execution the next day. The mother was told that the court proceeding was going well and that her child would probably be released. The mother left the prison with a thousand hopes.
The following day, however, they give her the news of her son’s death.
The psychological torture of prisoners’ families in Iran is an extreme example of human rights abuses in Iran, which should be investigated by the fact-finding delegation approved by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Following the criminal execution of Majidreza Rahnavard this morning, some family members and friends of this national hero showered flowers on his grave and chanted: Majidreza Rahnavard, Martyr of the Motherland…
It should be noted that Majidreza Rahnavard was a young athlete. He was arrested on November 19 for murdering two Bassij members during nationwide protests. During his arrest, he was severely beaten so that his left hand was broken. And they severely tortured him to extract a false confession.
The trial proceedings and execution of Majidreza Rahnavard were completed in just three weeks, and a heroic young man who rebelled against the oppression of the ruling regime was sent to the gallows.
These executions have only fueled the public’s anger leading to widespread protests, which, as always, are led by the brave women and girls of Iran.