The executions of Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi form part of an escalating pattern of politically motivated executions, as Iranian authorities continue to weaponise the death penalty as a tool of political repression.
Since 28 February 2026, Amnesty International reports that the Iranian authorities have arbitrarily executed at least 36 individuals in politically motivated cases, including 14 people arrested in connection to the nationwide protests in January 2026.
At least 78 further protesters, dissidents and others accused of links to banned opposition groups remain under sentence of death and are at risk of execution following grossly unfair trails. These include at least 41 people arrested in connection to the January 2026 protests and seven arrested in connection to the to the 2022 Woman Life Freedom uprising. Five of those at risk of execution were children at the time of the alleged offence.
The NEU calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately impose a moratorium on all executions, quash all death sentences, and release all those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association. We further urge Iran to take urgent, concrete steps towards the full abolition of the death penalty in line with its obligations under international law.
The National Education Union stands in solidarity with the people of Iran and with all those who seek justice, dignity and democratic rights.