We are on the eve of the anniversary of the executions of the summer of 1367. The dark summer in which thousands of political activists were executed, in violation of the law. Among these men and women, many had completed their sentences and were looking forward to their freedom. But they were executed, en masse and without warning, and their bodies were buried in unmarked graves. The news of their executions was delivered to their families with the return of their clothing in a sack.

Over the past 45 years, the Islamic Republic has executed thousands of men and women on political and public charges. However, after the massacres of the 1960s and in light of the demands of the survivors of these crimes and the sensitivity of the Iranian people, as well as human rights organizations and international organizations, the issuance and implementation of the death penalty for political activists was carried out with more caution. Nevertheless, the Islamic Republic remains at the forefront of countries that use this sentence to eliminate their political opponents.

On the other hand, the prisons of the Islamic Republic are filled with women and men who have been sentenced to death on charges such as drug trafficking and murder. Every day, a large number of these prisoners are executed and more death sentences are issued by judges.

During the protests of “Women’s Freedom”, thousands of protesters and political and civil activists were arrested. Unpleasant news of the number of prisoners in prisons across the country was heard and unfortunately, there is still no accurate statistics on the names of those arrested. Many protesters were sentenced to execution on false charges of “waging war against God” or “killing a police or Revolutionary Guard officer”. Some were hanged and many others are still at risk of execution.

Recently, the death sentence has been issued for two active social women, “Sharifeh Mohammadi” and “Pakhshan Azizi”, while women like “Nasim Gholami Simiari” and “Varesheh Moradi” are also being held in Baha Sar prison on charges of rebellion and are at risk of being sentenced to death. The last woman to be executed in a matter of minutes due to her political activities was “Shirin Alamhouli”. This political activist was executed in 1389 on charges of waging war against God. After this sentence was carried out, no death sentences had been issued for active political or civil women until 1402. Prior to this, in 1402, two women were arrested in Rasht and were held in solitary confinement in Lakan prison for nearly a year, away from other prisoners. Recently, I found out that both of them had been sentenced to death and were being kept in absolute

The issuance of the death penalty for protesting women and political and social activists, after a decade, shows that the Islamic Republic, according to the policy of Ali Khamenei, intends to pursue the policies of the 60s in order to continue its survival, and is now preparing society for such conditions. This is happening while opposition to the issuance of the death penalty, regardless of any belief, accusation, or crime, has been gaining a louder and more prominent voice for years.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in opposition and protests against the issuance of death sentences, and almost all members of society are demanding the abolition and removal of the death penalty from current and future laws in Iran. However, it seems that we still have a long way to go to achieve this goal and we must make much more effort than before to reach it.