We, the undersigned human rights and civil society organizations, express our deep concern over reports indicating the transfer of three Ahwazi Arab prisoners to solitary confinement and the imminent risk of their execution.
According to reports from Ahvaz, three political prisoners — Ali Mojadam, Moein Khanfari, and Mohammadreza Moghadam — who have been sentenced to death, were transferred to solitary confinement on June 25, 2025. Their lives are now in serious danger of execution. The three men face execution on charges of “baghi” (armed rebellion), despite credible allegations of gross violations of fair trial standards and forced confessions obtained under torture.
The transfer to solitary confinement took place while these individuals were sentenced to death on accusations such as collaboration with opposition groups and actions against national security.
Background and Concerns
Reports indicate that these three prisoners had previously been held in solitary confinement for extended periods and subjected to intense interrogations. Their return to solitary — amid heightened domestic tensions following the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran — has raised serious concerns among families and human rights groups about the imminent execution of their death sentences.
We, the undersigned organizations, strongly condemn the alarming rise in executions in Iran in recent months and warn of retaliatory actions by Iranian security institutions in the aftermath of the recent conflict. We express our grave concern over the ongoing and increasing use of the death penalty in Iran and call for its immediate cessation. This punishment is inhumane and fundamentally incompatible with basic human rights.
Violation of International Law and the Demand for Justice
Iran has one of the highest execution rates in the world, often implementing death sentences following unfair trials, forced confessions extracted under torture, and without access to independent legal counsel. The victims of these executions are not limited to individuals charged with serious crimes — many are political protesters, members of religious and ethnic minorities, and even juveniles at the time of the alleged offense.
We believe that the death penalty — particularly in a judicial system lacking transparency, independence, and democratic oversight — is not a tool for justice, but rather a means of repression, intimidation, and social control. This practice violates human dignity and contravenes Iran’s obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Call for Immediate Global Action
We urge the international community, human rights institutions, and governments to take immediate action to pressure the Islamic Republic of Iran to halt the execution of these three Ahwazi Arab activists and to revoke all death sentences issued against political, civil, and social activists in Iran.
We also call on the public to participate in the Twitter storm under the hashtag #NoToExecutionOfAhwaziActivists, which will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 8:00 PM Central European Time (9:30 PM Tehran time).
Signatory Organizations:
- Karoon Human Rights Organization
- Iran Human Rights
- Kurdistan Human Rights Association – Geneva
- Haalvsh
- Hana Human Rights Organization
- Tohra – Turkmen Sahara Human Rights Activists
- Rasank
- Arak Azerbaijani Human Rights Society
- Kurdpa Human Rights Organization
- A.O.H.R Human Rights Organization
- Ahwazi Centre for Human Rights
- Ahwaz Human Rights Organization (AHRO)
- Association for the Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran (ADAPP)
- Shivaar Human Rights Organization
- Balochistan Human Rights Group