More than 1,000 death row inmates at Iran's Ghezel Hesar Prison have entered the third week of a mass hunger strike in protest against executions, with reports claiming some prisoners have sewn their lips shut as their demonstration intensifies. The protest, which began on July 13, has drawn fresh attention to conditions inside the US-sanctioned prison near Tehran and renewed scrutiny of Iran's use of the death penalty, particularly in drug-related cases.
Human rights groups say the strike started after six inmates were transferred to solitary confinement ahead of possible executions. Since then, prisoners have reportedly continued to protest despite worsening health, chanting 'No to Execution' and taking increasingly desperate measures.
