21^st October 2026

Press release

For immediate use

The Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights (CODIR) has called upon ALL its affiliates take action to save the lives of female political detainees in Iran, several of whom are at very real risk of imminent execution. CODIR believes that the labour and trade union movement across Europe should urgently condemn the ongoing grave abuse of human rights in Iran by the theocratic dictatorship there.

CODIR has appealed to its affiliates to send letters of protest to the Iranian authorities, Ambassadors of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) in the European countries, calling for an immediate end to all executions in Iran and in particular the women political prisoners currently on death row.

While Iran and its people remain in extreme peril from wanton and unrestrained foreign aggression as well as an illegal and unjust war that could easily reignite into bombardment and full-blown conflict at any time, the Islamic Republic regime is using this as a pretext to head off any political challenge at home and instil mass fear more widely among an already traumatised population.

Since January 2026, along with a pronounced spike in the number of executions being carried out in Iran, estimated to be the highest in at least thirty years, with recognised political prisoners now bearing the brunt, several women political prisoners have been put to death. Only this week, the Times newspaper revealed that “at least 13 women are facing execution on political or security charges.”

CODIR has learned that Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by the notorious hanging judge Abolqasem Salavati, has sentenced Kurdish activist Ms. Verisheh Moradi (Mirzaei) to death for a second time on charges of Baghi (armed rebellion). The sentence was handed down despite the Supreme Court having previously overturned her initial sentence on account of severe investigative flaws. Defence lawyers revealed that the court reinstated the death penalty without completing the mandatory supplementary investigations previously stipulated by the Supreme Court.

Two weeks ago, a resolution adopted by the European Parliament, sitting in Strasbourg, France, drew draws particular attention to the cases of 20-year-old Taraneh Rahimi and her 43-year-old mother Leila Abolhasani, both sentenced to death by the Islamic regime for participating in the nationwide protests that took place in January 2026.

The European Parliament called for the immediate reversal of the sentences imposed upon Rahimi and Abolhasani, and “a halt to all executions and the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Iran.”

The Parliament acknowledged that the IRI regime has intensified its campaign against women’s rights, journalists, and human rights activists in recent months while continuing to intimidate family members of those opposing the regime.

The position adopted by the European Parliament echoes many of the demands made by CODIR over the course of years of campaigning. The ongoing abuse of human rights in Iran, targeting a wide range of groups including trade unionists and political opposition, is simply unacceptable and should be rightly called out. The death sentences spuriously imposed on those protesting in January this year are indefensible and must be condemned by the international community.

The resolution by the EU Parliament also condemns Iran’s codification of gender discrimination and calls for gender apartheid to be classed “as a crime against humanity under international law.”

CODIR is calling upon its affiliates to put pressure upon the British government to take note of the European Parliament resolution, as well as human rights agencies such as Amnesty International and to contribute to the international pressure upon the Iranian authorities to fully implement each and every term of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. [Ends]

ENDS

Further information for Editors

Contact Information for CODIR:-

Postal Address:
B.M.CODIR
London
WC1N 3XX
UK
Website: www.codir.net
E-mail: codir_info@btinternet.com

Further information on CODIR

CODIR is the Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights. It has been established since 1981 and has consistently campaigned to expose human rights abuses in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

CODIR has worked closely with the trade union movement in the UK, the peace movement, all major political parties, and Amnesty International to press the case for an end to torture in Iran’s prisons. Major trade unions in Britain are affiliated to CODIR and support its campaign for peace, human and democratic rights, and social justice in Iran.

CODIR has published its quarterly journal since 1981, explaining the latest developments in Iran and the most effective way that the British public opinion could demonstrate their solidarity with the people of Iran.

In recent years, CODIR has not shied away from the making its position clear and has worked closely with the Stop the War Coalition (StWC) and has been vocal against any form of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the Iranian nation and people.