Anti-stoning campaigners call for halt to barbaric executions

A London press conference will tomorrow present new information on the threatened execution of a 43-year-old Iranian woman who has been sentenced to death by stoning.

Details of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, and others who have been also sentenced to death by stoning in Iran, will be revealed by Mina Ahadi, coordinator of the International Committee Against Executions and the International Committee Against Stoning. Other press conference speakers include Iran Solidarity spokesperson Maryam Namazie and the UK-based human-rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. Friday’s meeting, say organizers, is open to the media and the public. They say all opponents of the death penalty and supporters of international human rights are welcome to attend. An online petition has been running, reading: “To Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the leaders of Iran: We call on you to finally put an end to capital punishment by stoning and to reverse the unjust judgment in the case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.” “In response to the international outcry, some Iranian officials report that Sakineh’s execution has been put on hold,” said Tatchell. “Other reports suggest that the stoning sentence has been revoked and that she will be hanged instead. “All these reports remain unconfirmed by the Iranian judiciary, which has the final say. Sakineh is still under threat of execution. “The government of Iran has banned the country’s media from reporting Sakineh’s case, which suggests they know most Iranians do not support the barbarity of stoning. “To deflect international condemnation, the Iranian authorities have falsely claimed that Sakineh was sentenced to death for committing murder, when court documents clearly show that she was condemned to be stoned for having sex outside of marriage,” Tatchell continued. Disproportionate and excessive “The Tehran regime has issued an arrest warrant for Sakineh’s lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaei. It has arrested his wife and brother-in-law, neither of whom has committed any crime. They are being detained in an apparent bid to force Mostafaei to hand himself over the police. “The death sentence passed on Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani for committing adultery is disproportionate, excessive and a violation of human rights. “Stoning a person to death is particularly barbaric. It has no legitimate place in any legal system in the twenty-first century, especially for a nonviolent act of adultery between consenting adults. “Even if the sentence has been changed from stoning to hanging, any execution is immoral. “The real crimes are the cruel, barbaric and inhuman acts of stoning and other forms of execution. The death penalty should be abolished – in Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, the US and worldwide.” added Tatchell. The press conference will take place Friday in the Brockway Room, Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, Holborn, London, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon British Summertime.