A letter calling for the right to life of Kurdish political prisoners Pakhshan Azizi and Warisheh Moradi, sentenced to death by the Islamic Republic of Iran, has been submitted to the United Nations, the European Parliament and the German government, Hengaw reported on 3 March. The letter, signed by 17 international human rights organisations, appealed for urgent action to prevent the execution of the two Kurdish women and to stand against the use of the death penalty by the Iranian regime as a tool of repression.
“These sentences are not only an attack on their lives but also an unprecedented assault on the fundamental rights of women, ethnic minorities and activists worldwide,” the signatories said, adding, “Azizi worked as a social worker in northeast Syria, supporting women and girls who had fled from ISIS. Moradi fought against ISIS in Kobanê [Kobani], thereby contributing to our security here in Europe.”
Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights recorded at least 88 executions in Iranian prisons in February 2025 alone. At least 975 people were executed in Iran during 2024, representing the highest recorded rate in the past two decades and marking a 17% increase from 834 cases in 2023.
Signatories to the petition include, HÁWAR Help, Adopt a Revolution, the Bahá’í Community in Germany (Public Law Corporation), the German Women’s Council, EU Watch, the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) German Section, Kabul Airlift, the Kurdish Community in Germany, #LeaveNoOneBehind, the Narges Foundation, No to Execution, Yes to Free Life, Resqship, Sea-Eye, Sea-Watch, Voices of Solidarity Cologne Vigil, and ver.di Youth.
