More than 25 countries on Wednesday, including the U.K., France and Canada, condemned Iran’s execution of anti-government protesters, accusing Tehran of using the death penalty to “silence dissent.”

“We condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing executions of protesters and use of the death penalty by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the countries said in a joint statement. “The use of capital punishment to silence dissent, intimidate communities, and punish individuals exercising their human rights can never be justified.”

The countries called on Iran to immediately halt executions and release detainees after Iran publicly hanged two men accused of killing four police officers during nationwide protests against the Islamic Republic in January.

“The people of Iran must be free to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear,” the statement reads.

The statement was signed largely by countries in the European Union, including Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands. Australia and New Zealand also joined Canada as non-European signatories.

The countries urged Tehran to respond to Iranians who have demanded political change following months of unrest in what were some of the largest protests held against the Islamic Republic, which was met with a violent response in which tens of thousands were arrested and thousands were killed.

“We further call on Iran to listen to the voice of its people as they demand change, and to take meaningful steps toward ensuring respect for human rights,” they wrote.

Iran publicly executed two men on July 28 in the central city Isfahan after they were convicted of killing four police officers during the protests. They were among 14 people sentenced to death in connection with the officers’ killings.

The protests had largely subsided by the time the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 triggering the war.

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