Image Credits : RFE/RL
During his Friday prayer sermon, Iran’s prominent Sunni leader, Mowlavi Abdolhamid, made an impassioned plea for the cessation of executions in the country, with a specific emphasis on sparing women. His call comes against the backdrop of a concerning increase in the arrests of political and civil activists and a spike in the number of death sentences being handed down.
Abdolhamid’s sermon resonated deeply with many Iranians and the international community, highlighting the escalating human rights crisis within the country. The leader voiced his dismay at the growing trend of capital punishment, which has particularly targeted women in recent months.
His remarks gain particular significance following the recent death sentences handed to Kurdish political activist Pakhshan Azizi and labour activist Sharifeh Mohammadi. The cases of Azizi and Mohammadi have not only ignited national outrage but have also drawn significant international condemnation. Human rights organizations and foreign governments have expressed their concerns, urging the Iranian authorities to reconsider their approach to justice and human rights.
The surge in executions and arrests of political dissidents is seen by many as part of a broader crackdown on freedom of expression and civil liberties in Iran. According to rights groups, the Iranian regime has intensified its suppression of political dissent and activism, employing severe measures to silence opposition voices. This has included a notable increase in the use of the death penalty as a tool of intimidation and control.
In his sermon, Abdolhamid stressed the importance of upholding justice and humanity, calling on the Iranian judiciary to exhibit leniency and compassion. He urged authorities to stop executions, particularly of women, and to reassess the recent increase in death sentences. His appeal is part of a larger effort by various human rights advocates within Iran to foster a more humane and just legal system.
The cases of Azizi and Mohammadi have become symbols of the broader struggle for human rights in Iran. Both activists have faced harsh treatment and unjust charges, according to their supporters. Their sentences have sparked protests and calls for their immediate release, as well as for broader reforms to protect political and civil activists in the country.