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Friday, August 18, 2006
A 37 year old woman by the name of Ashraf Kalahri is scheduled to be publicly stoned in two weeks.
July 24, 2006 -- As the following interview reveals, the Islamic Republic's medieval clobbering machine continues the violent and barbaric execution of women by public stoning. In 2002, after opposition groups managed to release photographs of public stonings, as well a video of the stoning of four victims in Iran, international outrage over this inhuman practice forced the officials of the Islamic regime to issue a pledge to halt this spiteful practice.
Yet, despite the Islamic regime's claim that it has banned the violent and abhorrent practice of stoning, nothing has been done to remove the provision on stoning in the Islamic Punishment Act. Nor has any governmental official or member of the judiciary has called for a moratorium on stoning. Consequently, public stonings of women have continued unabatedly, and, in recent months, sentences of public stoning have actually increased. These actions are indicative of the Islamic regime's deep-seated misogyny, its complete disregard for women as human beings, and the ruling government's continued violations of human rights. The Islamic regime utilizes these abhorrent and violent acts to enforce a rein of fear and terror that would secure its survival and silence any opposition to its occupation of Iran. Meanwhile, the international community allows these practices to continue by keeping silent about the on-going human rights violations in Iran, and by failing to report about the inhumane treatment of women and children, even when such acts arise to the level of crimes against humanity, which is precisely what the public stoning of women and girls happens to be.
Below is the summary of an interview of Ms. Shadi Sadr, legal counsel for Ashraf Kalahri, and an advocate for gender equality in the Islamic Republic, conducted by Meehandokht media.
Ms. Sadr, despite the fact that, based on an order from Mr. Shahroodi, public stoning of women were supposed to have been banned, there are a number of these sentences that are currently being prepared to be carried out. Do you have any direct and reliable information about this issue?
Shadi Sadr: Yes. In 2002, it was announced that, based on direct orders from Mr. Shahroodi, public stonings were officially banned in Iran. However, because the laws were never taken off the books, stoning sentences continued to legally exist. Numerous courts across Iran have repeatedly issued these sentences, the news of which were only reported sparingly and under a great deal of secrecy. And while many of these sentences were suspended for a couple of years, unfortunately, we have recently witnessed an increase in stoning sentences that were in fact carried out. Specifically, there is a woman in Evin prison by the name of Ashraf Kalhari, who is my client, and last week, she was sentenced to death by public stoning. They told her that her execution was to be carried out in 15 days after her sentencing.
What can be done to prevent sentences of public stoning? What actions have you taken in this context?
Shadi Sadr: The only available option to us was the utilization of a law that states in cases of public stoning, if the condemned woman repents and the judge accepts her repentance, the sentence of public stoning will be commuted. Accordingly, Ms. Kalahri personally wrote a letter to Mr. Shahroodi, explaining that she has repented, and pleaded with him to pardon her. Additionally, we also drafted letters that stated the legal issues associated with stoning sentences, and we submitted those letters to Mr. Shahroodi as well.
What can happen now? Does Mr. Shahroodi have the authority to personally prevent the stoning sentences from being carried out?
Shadi Sadr: Yes! Mr. Shahroodi has complete authority in this context, and, in a similar case, he pardoned another woman. However, the difficulty is that, at this point, we do not know exactly how many women across Iran are facing similar sentences, and we do not know if all of these women would be able to utilize Mr. Shahroodi's pardoning power. My question is what basically happened to Mr. Shahroodi's order to ban stoning verdicts of stoning, which was widely announced on an international scale, and how is that order affecting the judicial and legal systems with respect to the sentences that they issue.
In my opinion, until the law is not actually changed, we will continue to have this problem. It is possible that some of the executions will be prevented as the lawyers keep this issue fresh in the mind of the public. It is also possible that people will become desensitized about these acts and amidst public and international silence these women and their plight will be forever forgotten.
What do you think is the real reason behind the recent resurgence of stoning sentences, and, as a lawyer, what legal steps can you take to block these sentences?
Shadi Sadr: The parliament and the judiciary have the power to change the law. The only thing that we can do is to show that public stoning sentences continue to be issued and executions by public stonings continue to be carried out across the country. For example, a while back, two women were stoned in Mashad, and that news of their execution was published on the internet in a matter of hours. The reaction of the international community to that news forced the Iranian government to stop public stonings for two years. If lawmakers and judges continue to face that type of opposition and pressure, there are enough human rights and international laws that they can use to change these type of laws completely.
Is it possible for you to provide more detail about the reasons for Ms. Kalhari's imprisonment and her sentence?
Shadi Sadr: She is 37 years old and a native of Mashad. However, her case was prepared and tried in Tehran. I took over her case and received her case file only after she had already been tried and had received the sentence of public stoning. After she was arrested, they obtained a forced "confession" from her, stating that she had been involved in an extramarital affair with the man who had murdered her husband. The issue is the highest court in the country has sentenced Ms. Kalhari to 15 years in prison for assisting in a murder and the sentence of public stoning is reserved for married women. The legal argument here is that guiding legal principles mandate that Ms. Kalhari spend 15 years in prison before her sentence of public stoning is carried out. Yet, right now, she has served only 5 years in prison but is being prepared to be stoned in 15 days! This is the objection that we have from a legal perspective in this case, and we have written to Mr. Shahroodi about it.
Ms. Sadr, do you think that in the two weeks that remain, anything can be done that would at least delay Ms. Kalhari's sentence if not entirely commute it?
Shadi Sadr: I hope that that happens. If she is unsuccessful in having her sentence commuted or her repentance accepted or if she is unable to obtain any type of clemency, we all must think about why all of her efforts failed as they did. We must ask ourselves if this is really justice. We must consider the other women who are on the verge of being stoned and examine their status and condition and wonder about their fate.
If Ms. Kalhari's sentence is carried out, what do you, a lawyer who is an active advocate of women's rights, plan to do?
Shadi Sadr: We will continue our objections against inequality and injustice. I remain hopeful that this will not happen, but, even if it does, I will continue my advocacy on behalf of other women in these situations. For as long as the law remains unchanged, women's rights groups will continue to fight for equality and for human rights so that we will never again witness the murder of another woman by public stoning.
[Translated from Persian to English by Lily Mazahery ]
Please sign the petition to Save Ashraf from Death by Stoning.
http://www.petitiononline.com/AshrafK/petition.html
THESE PETITIONS WORK! Recently, these petitions, along with the international outrage and publicity that they have generated, have already forced the Islamic regime to commute the death sentences of 3 other women this year. YOUR VOICE COUNTS!
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Saturday, August 12, 2006
 The Democratic Solidarity Party of Al-Ahwaz(DSPA) has condemned the Syrian government's deportation of Ahwazi Arab refugees and the leader of the Ahwaz Liberation Organisation (ALO), 60 year old Dutch citizen Faleh Abdullah Al-Mansouri, to Iran as an act of "treachery". (click here for more information on the deportations)
The DSPA is a liberal democratic group which believes that Arab rights can be won through the devolution of power within a federal Iran, whereas the ALO advocates complete independence for Al-Ahwaz. The oil-rich Ahwazi Arab homeland enjoyed considerable autonomy and affluence until it was forcibly placed under Tehran's control by the forces of Reza Pahlavi in 1925. Despite ideological differences between the DSPA and the ALO, there are growing signs of solidarity within the Ahwazi opposition as the Iranian regime steps up its violent oppression in the region. The deportation of the five Ahwazis from Syria to Iran, where they will be executed for their political beliefs, has strengthened the bonds of solidarity between different Ahwazi groups.
In its statement, the DSPA was vociferous in its criticism of the government of President Bashar Al-Assad. It pointed out that Syria had been thought of as a safehaven for Ahwazi political refugees escaping the "bloodthirsty racism" of the Iranian regime. However, the DSPA, which represents the Ahwazis in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO), accused the Syrian government of betraying its commitment to fraternity with the Arab world and acting unethically.
The party has called on human rights activists to stage sit-ins in front of Syrian embassies across Europe and North America "to express their dissatisfaction over this irresponsible action, especially in light of the dangerous escalation of repression and gross violations of human rights in Al-Ahwaz."
It adds: "The death sentences annouced against 10 innocent Ahwazis ten days ago is the best evidence of the barbarism of the Iranian regime and the extent of its hatred against its own Arab population, while trying to appear as the protector of Arabs and Muslims abroad."
The DSPA concluded by stating that the Ahwazis would continue to fight for their right to self-determination, despite the treachery of the Syrian government.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
 Amnesty International has issued a statement claiming that Syriaviolated international law by deporting five Ahwazis, most of them refugees, to Iran in May.
In an urgent action published today, Amnesty says that Ahwaz Liberation Organisation (ALO) leader Faleh Abdullah al-Mansouri, Abdulrasool Mezrea, Jamal Obeidawi and Taher Ali Mezrea, who were deported under a bilateral agreement between Syria and Iran, are now "at risk of torture, ill-treatment, and possibly execution."
The four were arrested by Political Security officers in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on 11 May, along with three other men - Musa Suwari, Ahmad Abd al-Jaber Abiat, and Issa Yassin al-Musawi. Amnesty's appeal states that "they were reportedly held incommunicado at an unknown location. According to reports, Musa Suwari, Ahmad Abd al-Jaber Abiat and Issa Yassin al-Musawi were released between 11 May and 19 May.
"Most of the men are said to have been recognised as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Faleh ‘bdullah al-Mansuri has since acquired Dutch nationality ... Returning refugees or any other individual to a country where they are at risk of torture or ill-treatment or other serious human rights abuses is a violation of Syria's obligations under international law, including the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which it is a state party."
Amnesty adds that there is no further information on Said Awda al-Saki, an Ahwazi refugee registered with the UNHCR, who was arrested at the same time as the men named above, and was reportedly forcibly returned to Iran on 14 May. He is now held incommunicado at an undisclosed location, according to the human rights organisation.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
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Iran is regularly dogged by tales of harsh conditions in its prisons | The death in custodyof a well-known Iranian student activist has brought international condemnation.
Akbar Mohammadi was jailed after joining pro-democracy student demonstrations in 1999, and had been on hunger strike to demand his release.
The US condemned what it called Iran's "severe repression" of dissidents.
Authorities say they are investigating the cause of Mr Mohammadi's death earlier this week, and say he was under the care of a doctor in jail.
Amnesty International said his death in custody had cast a pall over the entire Iranian justice system.
The organisation called for an independent investigation and post mortem examination to determine the cause of Mr Mohammadi's death and the conditions that led to it.
Medical care
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Washington condemned what he called the Iranian government's "severe repression" of dissidents and its continued crackdown on civil society and those fighting for personal freedom.
Without elaborating, he alleged that the regime's actions had resulted in the death of Akbar Mohammadi.
Amnesty International alleged that Mr Mohammadi had been routinely tortured from the day of his arrest in 1999.
It also alleged that the information available strongly indicated that repeated delays or outright denials of adequate medical care by Iran's judicial and prison authorities had contributed to his death in custody.
The organisation also called for an independent investigation into his death.
Supervision
Amnesty said that Mr Mohammadi had reportedly undertaken a hunger strike, during the last few days of which he had refused liquids as well as solids.
However, Iranian prison officials have been quoted as saying that he was drinking water and tea.
Iran's Justice Minister, Jamal Karimirad, said Mr Mohammadi had been under intense supervision by the prison doctor, but had insisted on going back to his cell.
There his condition again deteriorated and he died on the way to hospital.
The Iranian authorities say the coroner's office is investigating his death. But a number of reformist groups inside Iran have also called for an independent investigation.
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Thursday, August 03, 2006
 One of Britain's leading human rights and gay rights activists, Peter Tatchell, has condemned the Iranian regime's planned execution of 10 Ahwazi Arabs as racist.
He has backed the Ahwaz Human Rights Organisation's call on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to intervene to stop the executions and the regime's ethnic cleansing agenda in Khuzestan, the homeland of the Ahwazi Arabs.
"The Iranian regime is planning the imminent execution of 10 Arab human rights activists from Khuzestan province in the south-west of Iran. They were sentenced to death after secret trials in June. The Iranian supreme court upheld their death sentences on 25 July," warned Mr Tatchell.
"Iran's Arab minority, who call themselves Ahwazis, are subjected to systematic prejudice and persecution by the Persian chauvinist Tehran regime.
"It is believed that both the gay teenagers executed in the city of Mashhad on 19 July 2005 were Ahwazis. The ethnic background of Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni may have been a contributing factor that led to their execution.
"It is important that the gay community shows solidarity with all the victims of the murderous Iranian regime - and that other victims show solidarity with gay Iranians. United together, the Iranian people can triumph over the clerical dictatorship.
"A further 22 Arab activists are expected to be handed death sentences at the end of their trials, which are being held in secret with no independent observers allowed to attend the court. They are victims of trumped up charges, for which there is no evidence.
"The Tehran regime is now holding Ahwazi children as young as 2 and 4 years old as hostages in prison, in a bid to force their political and human rights activist parents (who are on the run and in hiding) to surrender to the police. If the parents hand in themselves to the authorities, their children will be released, but they will face execution.
"In the last year, 25,000 Ahwazis have been arrested, 131 executed and 150 have disappeared (presumed killed and buried in unmarked graves), according to the Ahwazi Human Rights Organization.
"The Ahwazis are one of Iran's several persecuted national minorities who are subjected to racist victimisation by the Tehran regime. Other maltreated minorities include the Balochis, Turkmen and Azeris.
"Iran is a racist state, with a covert agenda for the ethnic cleansing of the Ahwazi Arab people.
"Tehran's land seizures, forced population relocations, massacres, arrests, jailings, tortures and executions of Ahwazi Arabs are crimes against humanity under international law.
"Despite living in the region of Iran richest in oil, the Ahwazi Arab people are victims of a cruel, deliberate impoverishment by the Iranian regime, with half the population living in gross poverty and 80 percent of children suffering from malnutrition.
"We support the efforts of the Iranian people to end the racist, homophobic and misogynist tyranny in Tehran and to establish a democratic, secular state that ensures human rights for all the ethnic, sexual, religious and cultural minorities of Iran.
"Foreign military intervention in Iran would be morally wrong and counter-productive. Reform must come from within, by and for the Iranian people themselves," said Mr Tatchell. |
