Free Iran Scholars Network (FISN), July 20, 2025
To: Honorable, António Guterres
Secretary-General
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Subject: Urgent Appeal to Protect Political Prisoners in Iran and Prevent a Repeat of the 1988 Massacre
Your Excellency,
We write on behalf of the Free Iran Scholars Network (FISN), a coalition of academics and researchers committed to human rights, secular democracy, and the rule of law. We are writing to express our grave concern over the recent wave of repression against political prisoners in Iran.
Most alarming is the growing pattern of forced disappearances, secret transfers, and exile of prominent political detainees to remote prisons. Prisoners are being removed without notice, denied communication, and relocated to undisclosed locations. These moves mirror tactics used in the lead-up to the 1988 massacre. They raise serious fears of covert executions or other forms of extrajudicial punishment.
One such case is that of Mr. Saeed Masouri. He has been imprisoned for 25 years without a single day of furlough. On July 16, he was violently removed from his ward. His current location is unknown. Similar disappearances have targeted other high-profile prisoners. This is part of a broader crackdown unfolding in silence.
In recent weeks, the regime has escalated its campaign of arrests, torture, and death sentences. The victims include peaceful dissidents, civil society activists, and human rights defenders. Some, like Farshad Etemadi-Far, Masoud Jamei, and Alireza Mardasi, were sentenced to death under vague and arbitrary charges such as “enmity against God” and “propaganda against the state.” Others, including Saman and Davood Hormat-Nejad, were given harsh prison terms after enduring solitary confinement and torture. Their only “crime” was peaceful political activity or association with opposition groups.
There are now more than fifteen political prisoners on death row. Dozens more face capital charges. Reports from inside the prison system describe violent interrogations, secret trials, and unlawful detentions. High-risk prisoners are being cut off from families and lawyers. Many have been transferred to distant and isolated prisons. Some have disappeared altogether.
What makes this moment especially dangerous is the regime’s public rhetoric. State-run outlets like Fars News Agency have praised the 1988 massacre, calling it a “model anti-terror success.” These statements are not just historical references. They are signals of intent. The regime appears to be preparing the ground to repeat these crimes, banking on international silence once again.
Iran’s political prisoners are drawn from all sectors of society. They include students, union organizers, women’s rights defenders, environmentalists, ethnic community leaders, and ordinary citizens. They are united by one thing. They stood up peacefully against oppression. For that, they are being punished.
We urge the United Nations and its institutions to take immediate and concrete action:
- Publicly and unequivocally condemn all political executions, forced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions in Iran.
- Demand an immediate halt to all executions and call for the release of individuals imprisoned for peaceful political activity.
- Establish an independent UN fact-finding mission to investigate the treatment and location of political prisoners, especially those recently disappeared or transferred.
- Document and preserve evidence for use in future international legal proceedings.
- Apply diplomatic and institutional pressure on the Iranian regime through direct engagement and multilateral mechanisms.
The world must not repeat the mistakes of the past. Silence in 2025 risks enabling a new round of atrocities.
Iran’s political prisoners may not be able to speak. But their message is clear. As Mr. Masouri warned before his disappearance:
“This is not about me. It is about silencing and isolating all political prisoners. The goal is to prepare the ground for executions, just like in 1988. Don’t let another massacre happen in silence.”
We urge you, Mr. Secretary-General, to act swiftly. Each day of delay increases the danger.
With respect and urgency,
Free Iran Scholars Network (FISN)