Iranians still face death by stoning
When the rest of us here in the west are concerning ourselves on things like what to wear to work or where to find good cosmetic doctors, human rights activists and groups are protesting the execution by stoning of 12 women and 3 men in Iran, which includes a mother of two children. There has been a loud call for her release. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtian, aged 43, was facing execution in Tabriz, in spite of going through an unfair and unjust trial. The Iranian Embassy in
Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/08/iran-death-stoning-adultery
London gave a statement assuring her of clemency from execution by stoning but there have been several cases where a person who was supposed to be stoned was instead hanged.
It is not just this lady, there are 11 more who will have the same fate. Azar Bagheri, 19 was arrested at the age of 15 when her husband accused her of an affair with another man. Ashraff Kalhori, 40 was executed for having an affair with her husband’s murderer. The sad plight of all those being executed is that their families have completely disowned them, fearing the disrespect they will have to face in the society. Moreover, they do not want such issues to go public and requested the media to avoid publishing photos. A few of the prisoners are even afraid to return to their family, afraid that they will be killed by their family on return. The case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtian is totally different. It was her sons who went around campaigning and shouting that their mother was innocent. The lady had actually been charged for an affair with 2 men. Her lawyer protested on the grounds that there was no solid proof for such allegations. She and her sons are happy to receive unparallel public support.
The Iranian government has banned this horrendous act, fearing the international attention and public protest but The Guardian Council remained mum on this issue. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has requested the country to restrict this punishment to severe crimes alone. The United Nations too has taken similar action.