Global reactions continue to the death sentence of the November protesters

The global trend “#Don’t_execute” reached the level of newspapers in Iran and the world from Twitter and cyberspace. Iranian newspapers published headlines such as “Hold your hands!” The German newspaper “Welt” wrote that the decision on the sentence rests with Ali Khamenei.

Calls to halt the execution of three protesters arrested during nationwide demonstrations in November 2019 continue in Iran and around the world with the hashtag "#Don'tExecute."

The front page of some Tehran-printed publications, including Etemad and Hamshahri, was dedicated to the news of the death sentences on Thursday, July 16.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, two reputable human rights organizations, had previously criticized the death sentences handed down to three Iranian protesters. The two international organizations considered the trial of the three to be “unfair” and that the “confessions” were extracted under severe torture.

US President Donald Trump also sent a Persian tweet supporting the campaign to stop the death sentences of three protesters arrested during nationwide demonstrations in November 2019, writing, "The execution of these three sends a deplorable message to the world and should not be carried out."

In addition to Trump, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Danish Foreign Minister Jørgen Kofod also expressed concern about the rulings.

Internet users are calling for the death sentences of Amir Hossein Moradi, Saeed Tamjidi, and Mohammad Rajabi to be overturned. These three were among those arrested during the November 2019 protests.

The news of the confirmation of the death sentences of Moradi, Tamjidi, and Rajabi was announced a few days ago by one of their lawyers, and the judiciary spokesman officially confirmed the news on Tuesday, July 14.

The Etemad newspaper wrote under the headline "Hold Your Hands" that "everyone is awaiting the judge's decision regarding the death sentence of the three young protesters of November 2019."

Etemad has also spoken to Babak Paknia, the lawyer for one of the three young men sentenced to death, regarding this matter.

Etemad writes: "The hashtag 'Don't execute' is one of the most serious demands raised in recent days and is a protest by users and Iranians on social media."

Etemad emphasizes that there has been "no coordination or external space-building" for this demand.

The Hamshahri newspaper also published an article on Thursday, July 16, with the headline “Waiting for a verdict to be stayed.” The newspaper wrote that social media users and political and civil activists called for a review of the verdict of the three defendants in November.

Kayhan Newspaper's reaction

But not all Iranian newspapers that covered the issue had a unified opinion. The Kayhan newspaper, for example, wrote in a report on the matter, “If criminals are not punished, the security of society will be the first victim.”

Kayhan writes: "A review of the reactions of anti-Iranian users to tweets opposing the hashtag "Don't execute" shows that many of them are natural-born murderers who show their true colors under the pretext of the death sentence for three armed rioters."

Unlike the Etemad newspaper, Kayhan wrote that "the nature of their tweets and user accounts makes it clear that the organization of these users and the hashtag in question is directed from abroad."

Khamenei's decision regarding executions

But the protest that began in cyberspace has also reached the level of global media. The website of the German magazine Der Spiegel (Der Spiegel Online) has written that the Islamic Republic of Iran has still not announced the number of victims and deaths of the November 2019 protests.

The German newspaper "Welt" also points to the impact of social media in its report, writing that social networks, which were mostly known for spreading hate speech, fake news, or superficial issues, have now taken on a different nature.

According to the newspaper Volt, “the current protest against the Iranian regime shows that Twitter and partners can do a good job.”

The German newspaper continues: "A Persian hashtag, incomprehensible to most Germans, has conquered social networks around the world in the past 24 hours and has been used millions of times on Twitter and Instagram."

Volt continues: "These protests are against the execution of the death sentences of Amir Hossein Moradi, Saeed Tamjidi, and Mohammad Rajabi, who participated in demonstrations against the Iranian regime last year. Now only Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, can cancel these death sentences. The Supreme Court had previously confirmed these sentences."

The Welt newspaper also discusses Germany's policy towards Iran in relation to this issue and writes: "Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is now faced with the question of what diplomatic opportunities the German government will use to end the injustice in Iran."

Volt goes on to emphasize that online protests may not save lives, but they can be described as a light in the darkness.

According to German media, including Welt, the leaders of the Islamic Republic "have understood the power of social media and are restricting the internet in their country to counter it."

Source: DW