Ali Younesi: Rejecting a State “Pardon” and Facing Five Additional Years in Prison
“I have never requested a pardon and never will. Freedom is a stolen right; we do not beg for a stolen right. We fight to reclaim it.” Ali Younesi wrote these words in aletter from Qezel Hesar Prison. On 11 May 2026, he had been informed that the remaining seven months of his sentence were […]
Iran: Escalating Repression of Civil Society Activists and Teachers’ Union Advocates in 2026
Executive Summary Expansion of Extrajudicial Pressures:Reports have emerged regarding SIM card restrictions, banking blockades, house searches, and the confiscation of personal belongings of civil society activists in Khorasan provinces. Criminalization of Trade Union Activity:Teachers’ union and labor activists face subpoenas, arrests, fabricated charges, and judicial sentences due to their pursuit of livelihood demands and professional […]
The 140th Week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign in 66 Prisons Across Iran
In its 140th week, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign expanded to 66 prisons across the country with the joining of prisoners from Darreh Shahr in Ilam and Meshginshahr in Ardabil. In this protest action, the striking prisoners, while honoring the memory of those who fell for freedom at the beginning of the academic year, […]
Lawyers under pressure in Iran: the right to a defence at risk
The prosecution of lawyers and restrictions on independent defence In Iran’s judicial system, prosecutors pursue charges and judges decide on release, detention and the outcome of cases. In the face of these powers, a defendant’s chosen lawyer must be able to access the case file, speak with their client and challenge the actions of judicial […]
Iran: 166 Protesters on Death Row Amid City Militarization
Executive Summary This human rights report centers on the exposure of a list of 166 protesters arrested during recent uprisings who are facing death sentences, final confirmation of execution by the Supreme Court, or an imminent risk of capital punishment. Collected evidence demonstrates that the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran utilizes the death […]
Iran: Alireza Sepahi at Risk of Execution after Retrial Request Rejected
Cases of Political Prisoners Sentenced to Death in Iran Case No. 15 | Case ID: IRN-DP-1404-015 | Last reviewed: 26 September 2026 Alireza Sepahi, born in 2001–02 in Isfahan, is under sentence of death in the Alikhani Square case. After the sentence was upheld, his lawyer said that a retrial request authorised by the Supreme […]
Iran: A Lost Generation; The Policies of the Islamic Republic and the Destruction of Children’s Futures
Executive Summary at a Glance Securitization of Education:While hundreds of thousands of children face educational poverty and out-of-school marginalization, the Parliament of the Islamic Republic has mandated the Ministry of Education to implement programs related to “countering infiltration” and allocated a dedicated budget line for it. Widespread Educational Deprivation:According to national statistics and a report […]
UN Fact-Finding Mission Documents Crimes Against Humanity in Iran
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran confirmed that civilians in the country suffered serious human rights violations and“crimes against humanity committed by their government,” https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/09/1168358 UN Fact-Finding Mission Documents Crimes Against Humanity in Iran Amid Escalating State Repression September 24, 2026 The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran has documented widespread and systematic human […]
Iran: Amir-Hassan Akbari Monfared, a 23-year-old accounting student, at Risk of Execution
Cases of Political Prisoners Sentenced to Death in Iran Case No. 14 | Case ID: IRN-DP-1404-014 | Last reviewed: 22 September 2026 Amir-Hassan Akbari Monfared, a 23-year-old accounting student, was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, for baghi (armed rebellion) through alleged membership of […]
Nasser Atabati: Chief Justice and a Record of Executions and Amputations
Iran: The Judiciary in the Service of Executions –No. 4 The death penalty in Iran is not the result of a decision by a single judge or court branch. Prosecutors’ offices, provincial chief justices, Revolutionary and criminal courts, the Supreme Court, sentence enforcement units and the Prisons Organisation form links in a process that may […]