MEK Supporters Rally in Geneva Against Iranian Executions

Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) staged a rally and exhibition at Place des Nations in Geneva on September 9, 2025, braving rainy weather to protest the Iranian regime’s intensifying use of the death penalty, particularly against political prisoners. The demonstration, held in front of the United Nations Office, drew attention to what organizers described as a “horrific” surge in executions in Iran this year, with more than 800 people reportedly executed so far in 2025, according to Amnesty International’s urgent action appeal released on September 10.

Protesters Demand International Action

The Geneva rally was part of a broader campaign by the Iranian diaspora and human rights advocates to pressure the international community to address Iran’s use of capital punishment. Demonstrators carried banners and placards calling for an immediate halt to executions and the release of political prisoners, while also voicing support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) as a democratic alternative to the current regime. The event coincided with similar protests in cities such as Gothenburg, Sweden, where MEK supporters marked the 85th week of the global “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, underscoring the movement’s international reach and sustained momentum.

Escalating Executions and Political Repression

Amnesty International’s recent statement warned that thousands in Iran are at risk of execution, including individuals sentenced for drug-related offenses or after trials described as grossly unfair. The organization accused Iranian authorities of “weaponizing the death penalty as a tool of oppression” since the 2022 protests, a claim echoed by rally participants in Geneva. The NCRI and MEK have long accused the Iranian government of targeting dissidents and using executions to stifle political opposition, a charge the regime denies.

Calls for Recognition of Democratic Opposition

Speakers at the Geneva rally urged the United Nations and European governments to recognize the NCRI as a legitimate democratic alternative to Iran’s current leadership. They argued that international pressure and diplomatic isolation are essential to curbing human rights abuses and supporting the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and democracy. The rally’s organizers also highlighted the role of the Iranian diaspora in mobilizing global opinion and sustaining advocacy efforts despite ongoing repression inside Iran.

The demonstration in Geneva reflects growing international concern over Iran’s human rights record and the increasing visibility of opposition groups seeking to influence global policy toward Tehran. While the Iranian government has dismissed such protests as foreign interference, activists insist that sustained international attention is vital to saving lives and promoting democratic change.