On this International Human Rights Day, we must draw urgent attention to the grave situation in Iran, where the specter of executions looms large over countless lives. We cannot forget the prisoners languishing in solitary confinement—many of whom belong to marginalized and long persecuted peoples, including Ahwazi Arabs, Baloch, Kurds, and Azerbaijani Turks, alongside the Persians. In 2023, over 853 executions were recorded in Iran—a staggering increase from the 576 executions documented in 2022, according to Amnesty International. This alarming trend disproportionately affects ethnic and religious minorities, subjected to cruel and unjust trials that strip them of their basic rights.
The families of these prisoners, in their fight for justice and dignity, evoke both courage and desperation. Among them is the family of Abas Deris, an Ahwazi Arab prisoner who has relentlessly shared videos and heartfelt appeals in a bid to secure his freedom. Similarly, the family of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Italian citizen wrongfully imprisoned in Iran, grapples with the very real fear for his life. These families, and countless others, urgently seek the solidarity and intervention of the international community to rescue their loved ones from the precipice of death.
We implore the human rights representatives of EU countries and the broader international community to stand in solidarity with Iran’s oppressed. Decisive action is imperative; external pressure can alter the course of human lives and confront the systemic human rights abuses perpetrated within Iran. Let us unite in our commitment to justice and human rights, raising our voices not just in remembrance, but in resolute action against tyranny.
AODHR
