It started as another horribly ordinary day in Ghezel Hesar (Qezl-e-Hasar), Iran’s largest state prison. In Unit 2, where about 1,500 prisoners are sentenced to death, most on drug-related charges, 11 prisoners had already been moved to solitary cells in preparation for execution, when five more were transferred. Suddenly, it was just too much to bear. 

With prison authorities caught off guard, prisoners managed to publish to the world their cell phone videos that show prisoners occupying the corridor in Unit 2, chanting and holding signs, refusing all food, and attending to those weakened or unconscious. By the next night, families and supporters were gathered outside the prison gates chanting “No to Executions.”

The Unit 2 protesters stated, 

Dear people of Iran, 

Nearly 1,500 prisoners sentenced to death in halls one, two, three, and four of Unit 2 of Ghezel Hesar Prison have been on a hunger strike since Monday, October 13, in protest of the execution of our fellow prisoners; our patience has run out with all this oppression and taking of the lives of prisoners and young people.

Every day and every week, we witness some of our fellow prisoners being sent to the gallows, and some of us spend the night with the nightmare of death and gallows. These are the most painful moments of our lives and those of our families; the pain and suffering have continued for years. This situation is no longer bearable for us.

Unit 2 prisoners were soon joined by prisoners in Unit 3 and Unit 4 (where political prisoners are housed). According to one report, in Units 3 and 4, prisoners sewed their lips shut to express the urgency behind their refusal to eat. 

Unit 4 prisoners stated, 

Imagine for a moment that the oppression you feel outside the prison is killing us every day inside the prison. We are victims who are killed daily and we have no hope except for your support and that of other prisoners.

We ask all our compatriots and awakened consciences to do everything they can to abolish the death sentence, to save us and our friends. Even tomorrow is too late. Because there is not a day when our fellow prisoners are not taken to solitary confinement for execution, and if after these protests we are left alone, we will all be killed.

Ghezel Hesar is where the “No to Execution Tuesdays” weekly hunger strike initiated, now in its 90^th consecutive week, having spread to 52 prisons across Iran. That strike has been pathbreaking in popularizing the demand to end ALL executions and uniting prisoners charged with political and non-political “crimes.” However, the large scale and ongoing nature of the hunger strike occurring now is a very significant leap.

Evin Women Support

A significant statement of support from women political prisoners in Evin Prison was posted by the social media of Golrokh Iraee on October 14. It contained some insights on the changed situation in society created by the Ghezel Hesar strikers.

A hand that reaches out to feed his or herself or their child is amputated, and a head that is angry about poverty and hunger is hanged on the gallows. The spread of poverty, corruption, and misery has divided society into two halves: the upper and the lower. There is not even stale bread left on the tables to satisfy hunger. Those who roll up their sleeves and those who cry out against this poverty and misery are taken to the slaughterhouse.

The system has … attempted to obscure the real issue — namely, systemic inefficiency and corruption — by stirring up public sentiment and emphasizing the criminal acts of the convict… Protesting against these regime policies is a sign of the maturity of public opinion.

Recently, more than a thousand prisoners on death row in Ghezel Hesar Prison have rebelled against executions and the government’s repressive policies. The political maturity of death row prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison is a turning point in the history of the Iranian people’s struggles against repression and the death penalty.

Evin Women's Ward appreciates the powerful movement of the prisoners of Ghezel Hesar, and stands by all those sentenced to death and their families, until the death penalty is abolished.

Just as those sentenced to death in Ghezel Hesar Prison have been asking the public in recent days, we hope that protest against executions will become a public concern for the society.

A Unit 2 prisoner made this observation:

“The people's view of us has changed; the government has tried to portray us as inhuman, but when [during] this strike a few of our fellow inmates went to the hospital, they said people's behavior was very empathetic as soon as they found out we were Ghezel Hesar prisoners.” He said that the majority of prisoners in this block were brought here due to poverty and injustice. “We go to the same room every day for funeral ceremonies and we've become exhausted from all the mourning we've done for our fellow inmates.”

Danger of Violent Repression in Ghezel Hesar

Burn The Cage reported that prison officials asked the prisoners to break the strike and promised that the execution of death sentences would be temporarily suspended. However, the prisoners, alert to the deception and repeated lies of the authorities, refused and steadfastly continued their hunger strike. By the fourth day, many prisoners were severely weakened, one in serious condition, but remained undaunted.

Relatives of prisoners reported that the ward phones were cut off and they have had no contact with their loved ones inside, while executions have continued. Lawyers further reported that “parasitic devices (‘freezes’) were used to completely cut off prisoners' telephone and internet connection with their families.”

There are reports that NOPO, the “Counterterrorism Special Forces,” have joined prison police inside the prison, which the prison authorities could use as a threat or could be staging for a murderous attack. People around the world should be vigilant and prepared to share news in the coming days. Follow @burnthecage for daily coverage and @iranprisonemerg for news in English.

The outbreak of resistance inside Ghezel Hesar prison also offers some lessons to people worldwide who are up against great odds fighting fascist regimes and oppressive systems. Sometimes things can suddenly become “too much,” and acts of resistance with one section of people, such as prisoners or students, can become a spark for more massive resistance that can in turn affect the perceptions of broader sections of society.  Courage can be contagious, across prison walls or vast oceans!