Alexis Anagnostakis, Head of the Human Rights Committee of the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA), has announced a 24-hour hunger strike in solidarity with political prisoners in Iran, joining the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign. In his statement, he described the alignment of UN Special Rapporteurs with the striking prisoners as a unified message on the urgent necessity of halting executions, emphasizing that this solidarity demonstrates to prisoners that they have not been forgotten.
Iran Human Rights Society, Friday, October 30, 2026 – Anagnostakis, referred to in Persian reports as the Chair of the ECBA Human Rights Committee, highlighted the execution risks facing political prisoners and protesters, framing his 24-hour hunger strike as a direct act of solidarity. His announcement adds to the growing international backing for the weekly campaign, in which prisoners refuse food every Tuesday to demonstrate their opposition to the death penalty.
Statement of Solidarity with the “No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign
In a statement published on his LinkedIn account, Anagnostakis drew public attention to the movement led by prisoners advocating for an end to executions from behind bars. He emphasized that despite being subjected to conditions designed to silence them, these prisoners persist in their protest.
Reflecting on his decision, Anagnostakis stated: “Today I am joining them. Going without food for 24 hours is nothing compared to being in death row cells.”
The legal expert further stressed that expressing solidarity carries a low cost for those outside prison walls, yet conveys a vital message to detainees that their plight is recognized and not forgotten. The core of his message centered on the link between prisoner resistance and the duty of the legal community and international institutions to protect the right to life.
Alignment of UN Rapporteurs on Halting Executions
Anagnostakis referenced the participation of Leopoldo Maldonado, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to
freedom of opinion and expression, and Gina Romero, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, in the campaign.
He also pointed to warnings issued by Mai Sato, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, noting that these human rights mandates share a unified voice and that such alignment is no coincidence.
While his reference to Mai Sato highlighted her broader reporting on human rights conditions and executions, his mention of Maldonado and Romero underscored their direct participation in 24-hour hunger strikes in solidarity with the prisoners.
Warning Regarding the Execution of 46 Political Prisoners and Protesters
Citing documented reports, Anagnostakis noted in his message that at least 46 political prisoners and protesters have been executed since March 19, 2026. He further warned that over 100 additional individuals currently face pending death sentences.
This statistic reflects reported figures specifically concerning political prisoners and protesters within a defined timeframe, rather than the total number of executions nationwide.
He also amplified warnings originally issued by Maldonado regarding similarities between current patterns and the circumstances preceding the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners. Anagnostakis stressed the necessity of preventive action, asserting that warnings regarding execution risks can only safeguard lives if they lead to concrete intervention before sentences are carried out.
Peaceful Protest Must Not Be Treated as a Capital Offense
On legal grounds, Anagnostakis criticized the application of the charge of “Moharebeh” (Enmity against God) against peaceful protest, political dissent, and alleged organizational affiliations. Citing Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), he reiterated that peaceful protest does not fall under the category of “most serious crimes” for which the death penalty may be imposed.
This position links opposition to the death penalty with the defense of freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and fair trial guarantees. The central issue remains the arbitrary weaponization of capital charges in cases involving political activity and the exercise of fundamental rights.
Background of Support from Maldonado and Gina Romero
Earlier, Leopoldo Maldonado formally joined the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign by undertaking a 24-hour hunger strike. He called for an immediate halt to death sentences, a comprehensive review of cases lacking due process, and independent investigations into allegations of torture and forced confessions.
Similarly, Gina Romero announced her solidarity with the striking prisoners while warning against the execution of protesters. She condemned the application of the death penalty against individuals exercising their rights to freedom of assembly, association, expression, and political participation.
These actions, alongside diplomatic statements from Canada and endorsements from other UN experts, have broadened the international visibility of the prisoners’ demands. Canada has called for an immediate cessation of executions and the release of arbitrarily detained individuals, reaffirming the fundamental right to political dissent and peaceful protest.
See also the below articles:
- Mai Sato at UN Third Committee: Repression & Executions Escalated Under Cover of War
- Amin Pardal Sentenced to Death in Zahedan Prison
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