Rights organizations are joining forces to call on Iran to abolish the death sentences of Pakhshan Azizi, Verisheh Moradi, and others currently on death row. They demand just trials, stressing that the death penalty violates human rights and should have no place in Iran’s legal framework.
Pakhshan Azizi’s legal team announced a grim turn on February 2, 2025, when the Supreme Court rejected her retrial request, moving her closer to execution. Previously, her death sentence was affirmed by an appeals court on January 8. However, protests from various groups had temporarily halted the execution earlier that month.
Azizi, a Kurdish-Iranian social worker, faced accusations of armed activities against Iran. Despite her humanitarian work aiding women and children in Syria, Iranian media portrays her as a disruptor. Following her arrest in August 2023, she suffered abuse and extreme restrictions in Tehran’s Evin Prison.
Similarly, Verisheh Moradi, also accused of political affiliations with armed groups opposing the regime, faces execution. Her case remains pending appeal, intensifying concerns for her future. With protests igniting in support of Azizi and Moradi, activists have voiced their dissent against these harsh sentences.
Amid these tensions, Mojahed (Abbas) KourKouri, Mehdi Hassani, and Behrouz Ehsani are also at risk as their death sentences are upheld. In a bold stand against this growing trend, Iranian prisoners have launched hunger strikes titled “Tuesdays Against the Death Penalty” to highlight their plight.
In a collective plea, human rights organizations are urging the Iranian authorities to drop all charges against Pakhshan Azizi and overturn death sentences against her and others. They reaffirm their opposition to the death penalty, advocating for the fundamental right to life and freedom from cruel punishment, urging the international community to escalate pressure against this inhumane practice.
Rights groups are rallying for the abolition of death sentences against Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi in Iran. Amidst protests, Azizi received a temporary reprieve after her retrial efforts were initially halted. Accused of serious crimes, both women have faced questionable legal processes. The growing resistance against the death penalty reverberates through Iranian prisons as hunger strikes spread among inmates.
The collective efforts of human rights organizations highlight a critical plea to the Iranian judiciary to eliminate harsh death sentences against activists like Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi. Highlighting the inherent cruelty of the death penalty and calling for fair trials, they amplify the voices of those risking their lives for justice. As hunger strikes and protests unfold, the world watches, urging an end to these grievous human rights violations in Iran.
Original Source: kurdistanhumanrights.org
