The news emerging about the situation of detained protesters in Isfahan Central Prison has once again raised concerns over the implementation of death sentences against protesters in Iran.
Even more concerning is the situation of at least 26 of these prisoners who, according to reports, have been transferred to solitary confinement cells or quarantine suites used prior to the implementation of executions. In a case known as the “Alikhani Square” case, 14 individuals have also reportedly been transferred to solitary confinement, intensifying concerns that their sentences could be carried out imminently.
When Protest Is Met With the Death Penalty
The Dey 1404 protests became, for many Iranians, a symbol of widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s political, economic, and social conditions. However, for some protesters, the end of the demonstrations led to arrest, the opening of judicial cases, and the issuance of severe sentences.
Families Waiting for a Phone Call
Behind every number is a person and a family.
Families of prisoners sentenced to death are not only living with the fear of losing their loved ones; according to human rights reports, they have also faced pressure to remain silent about the details of their cases.
Under such circumstances, transferring a prisoner to solitary confinement or quarantine prior to an execution can mean the beginning of hours filled with anxiety and uncertainty for their family—hours that may end with a phone call, a final visit, or even news that the sentence has been carried out.
What Is the Responsibility of the International Community?
The execution of protesters is not merely a domestic issue. The right to life, the right to a fair trial, and the prohibition of torture and inhumane treatment are fundamental principles of human rights.
The number “70” may appear to be just a number in a news report. But behind it are dozens of lives, dozens of families, and futures that are now hanging in the balance, awaiting decisions by the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic.
At a time when human rights reports are warning of the risk of executions for some of these prisoners, the fundamental question remains:
Will a political and social demand for change be answered by taking human lives?
Shahnegar gives voice to those whose voices may never reach us from behind prison walls. Because sometimes, the first step toward preventing people from being forgotten is simply this: remember their names and keep talking about them.
Jasmine Navabi