9. October 2025 – IRAN

OPEN LETTER: FOR THE RIGHT TO LIFE – STOP THE EXECUTIONS OF VERISHEH MORADI AND PAKHSHAN AZIZI

The Kurdish women Verisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi, who are imprisoned for political reasons in Teheran’s notorious Evin Prison, have been sentenced to death by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Their alleged crime: advocating for justice and human rights. 

Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi have dedicated their lives to fighting injustice. They are not only prominent voices for women’s rights but also representatives of the marginalized Kurdish minority in Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran systematically oppresses women and ethnic minorities. The execution of these two brave women would be a major setback for the international “Women, Life, Freedom” movement and would further intensify repression against activists. With an open letter, signed by 16 other organizations and associations, HÁWAR.help, urgently addresses the German government, the European Parliament, and UN human rights organizations, demanding the prevention of the executions. 

Open Letter: 

For the Right to Life: Stop the Executions of Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi! 

To: The German Government, the European Parliament, and UN Human Rights Organizations

We urgently address the German government, the European Parliament, and UN human rights organizations with greatest concern. Two Kurdish women, Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi, have been sentenced to death in Iran. Their alleged crime: fighting for justice and human rights. These sentences are not only an attack on their lives but also an unprecedented attack on the fundamental rights of women, ethnic minorities, and activists worldwide. 

Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi stand as symbols for many brave women and men in Iran who risk their lives for freedom and justice. The Islamic Republic of Iran systematically uses the death penalty as an instrument of oppression to silence critical voices – a practice that the international community must not ignore.

We live in an increasingly interconnected world, where every voice matters and silence must not be an option. It is our moral and political duty to stand up for Pakhshan and Verisheh. By defending them, we are upholding the universal human rights that protect us all. 

As part of the international community and as citizens of a democratic country committed to human rights, we must not allow this injustice to go unheard.

We demand: 

  • The German government and the EU: Use all diplomatic means to immediately suspend the death sentences of Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi. 
  • The United Nations: Urge Iranian authorities to respect international human rights standards and abolish the death penalty. 
  • Civil society: Join this demand, show solidarity, and make a stand against the oppression in Iran.

We want to make it clear to Pakhshan, Verisheh, and all courageous people in Iran that the world will not remain silent when lives are at stake. 

Adpot a Revolution 
Bahá’í-Gemeinde in Deutschland K.d.ö.R. 
Deutscher Frauenrat 
EU Watch 
HÁWAR.help 
Hengaw 
Internationale Gesellschaft für Menschenrechte (IGFM) – Deutsche Sektion e.V. 
Kabul Luftbrücke 
Kurdische Gemeinde Deutschland e.V. 
#LeaveNoOneBehind 
Narges Foundation 
No to Execution, Yes to Free Life 
Resqship e.V. 
Sea-Eye e. V. 
Sea-Watch e.V. 
Stimmen der Solidarität – Mahnwache Köln e. V. 
ver.di Jugend 

Show Pakhshan and Verisheh that they are not alone and fight for their release!