By Alyxandra Stanczak
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
TEHRAN, Iran – This past Tuesday, the European Union condemned the stoning of Iranian women for the crime of adultery. The condemnation comes in light of the sentencing of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who was convicted of murder and adultery. Ashtiani confessed to both crimes after receiving ninety-nine lashes. She has since recinded her confession and her lawyer is adamant that it was made under duress.
During the holy month of Ramadan, which ends on 1o September, there is a customary stay of any death penalties; during this time, Ashtiani’s lawyer has appealed to Iran’s supreme court and they are reconsidering her case. Though Ashtiani is the center of the international debate on stoning, the punishment she could face is not rare for Iran to implement. Approximately forty-five people have been sentenced to death by stoning since 2003.
The international outcry to this event is overwhelming. France’s foreign minister Bernard Kouchner stated that he would personally fly to Tehran and do whatever it takes to free Ashtiani. Similar sentiments have been expressed by the Vatican, who stated that they would attempt behind-the-scenes diplomacy to save Ashtiani’s life. Brazil has offered Ashtiani political asylum. International human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have also taken a lead roll in advocating on behalf of Ashtiani by placing telephone calls petitioning the government to reconsider their sentence.
In response to European criticism, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Ashtiani faced charges of murder and infidelity and the case shouldn’t be linked to human rights.
Stoning was implemented as a form of punishment after the 1979 Iranian revolution. The current government maintains that the death penalty, which includes hanging and stoning, is essential to maintain public order. According to Amnesty International statistics, ten people were put to death by stoning in 1995, making it one of the worst years in Iran’s history for that form of punishment. For a brief period in 2002, the Iranian judiciary put a moratorium on death by stoning. However, in recent years and despite the international outcry, stoning has been increasing in frequency.
For more information, please see:
The Huffington Post – Iran stoning case: EU condemns ‘barbaric’ plan, Iran scoffs at European concerns – 7 September 2010
Reuters – Iran tells the world: don’t make stoning a rights issue – 7 September 2010
Voice of America – Iran: Stoning case not human rights issue – 7 September 2010
Now Public – Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani Sentenced to Death by Stoning in Iran – 5 July 2010
