Iran Prisoners Sew Lips Shut in Mass Hunger Strike Over 2026

Iran prisoners at Ghezel Hesar prison have sewn their lips shut in a mass hunger strike as executions surge across the country. The protest, involving at least 1,500 death row inmates, began after six men convicted on drug charges were moved to solitary confinement ahead of possible execution, according to Iranian rights groups.

Mass Hunger Strike Spreads Across Iran's Prisons

The hunger strike started two weeks ago and has quickly become a symbol of defiance against the rising use of the death penalty. In videos shared by exiled rights groups, prisoners sit in hallways holding placards reading “No to Executions” and chanting “Be our voice.” One graphic clip shows a prisoner stitching his own lips shut after six days without any response from prison officials.

Prisoners Plead for Medical Help

Another video captures a prisoner calling for urgent medical assistance as conditions deteriorate. “The guards will not open the door so we can take them to the prison infirmary,” he says. The protest is the latest act of resistance in a prisoner-led campaign against executions that began in January 2024.

Surge in Executions Amid US-Iran Tensions

There has been a huge spike in executions this year amid the war with the US. Families of death row inmates and rights groups have raised alarm over the worsening human rights crisis. At the weekend, Donald Trump abruptly called off a two-week bombing campaign but threatened to restart strikes unless negotiations progress. One source in Tehran noted: “Whenever the shadow of war over the regime lifts even slightly, the regime becomes more savage.” A prisoner was executed on 6 April — the same date the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire.

Comparison of Execution Numbers

The data above, compiled by rights organizations, shows a dramatic acceleration in the use of the death penalty. Most executions are for drug-related offenses, but political prisoners and those linked to anti-government protests are increasingly targeted.

Key Takeaways

• Over 1,500 death row prisoners at Iran’s largest jail are on a mass hunger strike.
• Prisoners have sewn their lips shut to demand an end to executions.
• Executions have surged in 2024 amid US-Iran military tensions.
• Rights groups warn of a worsening human rights crisis inside Iranian prisons.
• International pressure and public awareness are crucial to stopping the death penalty wave.

FAQ

The situation in Iran’s prisons remains dire. International organizations and human rights advocates continue to call for an immediate halt to executions and an independent investigation into conditions inside the country’s detention facilities. Staying informed and amplifying the voices of prisoners is a vital step toward change.