April 27, 2026
We, the undersigned, express our deep concern over the rising number of executions in the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly those targeting Kurdish political prisoners. We call for the immediate suspension of all death sentences and for full adherence to fundamental human rights, human dignity, and the legal obligations of the Iranian state.
According to multiple reports in recent weeks, and in parallel with an increasingly securitized environment, alarming developments have been documented, including intensified prison controls, restricted or denied access to legal counsel and family members, and the secretive or expedited implementation of execution orders. These conditions raise serious concerns about violations of the right to life, the right to a fair trial, and the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.
At present, seven Kurdish political prisoners, Pakhshan Azizi, Hatam Ozdemir, Yousef Ahmadi, Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, Nasser Bakrzadeh, Raouf Sheikh-Ma’roufi, and Mohammad Faraji, face an immediate and imminent risk of execution. Reports indicate that some of these sentences have already been upheld at the highest levels of the judiciary. The Iranian judicial system has primarily categorized the charges against these individuals under titles such as “armed rebellion” (baghi), “corruption on earth,” or “membership in opposition groups,” while human rights organizations have deemed these accusations legally unfounded and based on coerced confessions.
Human rights evidence and reporting indicate that these cases have involved confessions obtained under pressure, denial of effective access to chosen legal counsel, and serious violations of fair trial standards.
Demands:
-
Immediate suspension of all executions
-
Annulment of the issued sentences and ensuring fair, transparent judicial proceedings
-
Full access for prisoners to legal counsel, family members, and medical care
-
Full compliance with human rights principles and due process guarantees
Urgency of the Matter:Given the record of sudden executions in Iran, the risk of the irreversible deprivation of life is both serious and imminent. This situation has also imposed ongoing fear, severe anxiety, and psychological pressure on the families of the prisoners, while spreading a broader climate of insecurity and distress within society. Such conditions may constitute the infliction of severe psychological suffering and a violation of human dignity. Any delay in taking immediate action could result in irreversible consequences.
-
