1,500 Death Row Inmates on Hunger Strike in Iran's Largest Prison: 'They Sewed Their Lips'

At least 1,500 death row inmates at Iran's Ghezel Hesar prison have been on hunger strike for two weeks, protesting the surge in executions. Some have sewn their lips shut. Human rights organizations report the protest began after six inmates were moved to solitary confinement. Last year, Iran set a record of 1,639 executions.

At least 1,500 death row inmates at Ghezel Hesar prison near Tehran have been on hunger strike for two weeks, protesting the surge in executions in Iran. Some have sewn their lips shut in protest, according to human rights groups. The hunger strike began on July 13, after six death row inmates convicted on drug charges were moved to solitary confinement. Footage shows inmates holding signs reading 'No more executions.' One inmate said in a message passed to The Guardian: 'We made mistakes only to pay for basic needs; where else in the world do they take a human life for a single mistake?' Last year, Iran set a record of at least 1,639 executions, the highest since 1989. Just this morning, two protesters were executed in Isfahan. According to the UN, 26 protesters have been executed since the start of the year. US President Trump has previously threatened to punish Iran over executions, but they continued even after the April ceasefire. A source in Tehran told The Guardian that the intensity of executions has increased since the ceasefire.