Today, opposition to the death penalty and the defence of human life are central demands of Iran’s civil society and progressive forces, forming a core part of our daily struggle. A new wave of death sentences and executions, along with widespread arrests and trials behind closed-door, shows that a part of the government is choosing revenge and the elimination of opponents instead of responding to this fundamental demand and moving toward “national solidarity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CODIR strongly condemn the theocratic regime\u2019s confirmation of the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labour activist. This verdict was issued and upheld despite a judicial process riddled with fundamental flaws and a clear violation of the defendant’s rights. While we are fundamentally against the death penalty, we believe the issuance and confirmation of Sharifeh Mohammadi’s death sentence lacks any legal legitimacy, even under the Islamic Republic\u2019s own laws. We view this as a political verdict that reflects a clear policy of government repression and intimidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sharifeh Mohammadi’s lawyer stated, “Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, which had previously overturned her death sentence, has this time confirmed it, despite the same ambiguities and flaws remaining.” This decision shows that the judiciary is not acting based on its own procedural rules, but with the goal of silencing the voices of workers and labourers seeking justice. Sharifeh Mohammadi’s case, like many others, was orchestrated from the start not on the basis of justice, but through a security scenario created by the Ministry of Intelligence. The process of her arrest, interrogations, charges, and sentencing shows no sign of an independent and impartial trial. The online court sessions, the denial of her right to a physical defense, and the disregard for her lawyer’s arguments prove that this verdict is the result of a pre-determined security plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vague charges like “rebellion” or “acting against the system” have long been used to silence dissidents and protesters. These charges are typically part of security-driven cases and lead to harsh and deadly sentences without a fair trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reactionary and extremist right-wing judiciary in the Islamic Republic is trying to assert its power against the will of the people and the human rights demands of Iran’s progressive civil society. It spares no effort to make the civil society\u2019s push for its demands seem fruitless. Fortunately, Iranian civil society is forging its own path. In recent weeks, civil and human rights activists in Iran have widely protested the increase in death sentences and executions, including the one against Ms. Mohammadi. In addition to opposing the pressure on political and civil activists, the demand for the unconditional release of political prisoners has become a widespread public demand since the 12-Day War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sharifeh Mohammadi has been sentenced to this punishment simply for defending the rights of workers and labourers and for standing up for human, social, and professional values. Our organization loudly condemns this verdict and emphasizes that this sentence is not legally valid, even within the framework of the Islamic Republic’s own laws, nor is it in accordance with universal human rights standards. Sharifeh Mohammadi must be released immediately and unconditionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CODIR Calls for an immediate end to all executions in Iran. It calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Iran.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CODIR<\/p>\n\n\n\n 18 August 2025<\/p>\n