While Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and her attorney wait anxiously to see whether Iranian authorities carry out the sentence of death by stoning for adultery, worldwide pressure continues to mount to halt the execution, with the European Union the latest to speak out.
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton today called on Iran to halt the stoning of Ashtiani along with two other scheduled executions. Mohammad Reza Haddadi was sentenced to hanging for a murder he committed as a minor, and Zeynab Jalalian, a Kurd, is awaiting execution as "an enemy of God."
Ashton had especially harsh words for Ashtiani's punishment, calling stoning "a particularly cruel method of execution which amounts to torture." She also noted that Ashtiani's and Haddadi.'s exedcutions violate international conventions on civil, political, and children's rights.
Mina Abadi, head of the International Committee Against Stoning and the Death Penalty, said Iranian authorities may meet Saturday to discuss Ashtiani's fate. She added that while it remains uncertain whether the execution will be halted, "Sometimes these death sentences are overturned because of public pressure."
Iran supposedly adopted a moratorium on stoning in 2002, but the practice remains in use there.
Written by Sandy Smith
For HULIQ.com
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#1 irans business
the woman knows the punishment as does everyone else there. u.s. still has hanging, shooting squad,lethal injection and so on. It applies to those whom break whatever law that gets that punishment. Of course only immoral peoples wouldn't want immoral actions punished. ignorance o f the law is no excuse. whomever she slept with needs punishing also.
#2 There is a huge differance
There is a huge differance between a lethal injection for a murder proven guilty by a jury of 12 of "your peers" and then also given the opportunity to appeal the decision several times. This woman probably did not even get a fair trial if a trial at all. She said she withdrew a confession so she was probably forced into giving. You are sick and heartless. It doesnt take an immoral person to have not want immoral actions. Only someone selfish would say such a thing. Good people and caring people care about others not only there self. God decides our fate. How can people think they are responsible to act as God. Where is there faith that God will judge them in the end. All the cruel people who are responsible for these inhumane and barbaric should burn in hell. Never the less I pray for them and that the Lord will feel their heart with love, compassion, and decency. Most of all I pray these executions do not take place. Whats even more sad is that this woman was most likely forced to marry. Discusting goverment they have.
#3 Barbaric Stoning Practice
I compare the practice of stoning to that of burning people at the stake carried out by European countries against individuals they condemned as heretics in the Middle Ages. It is appalling that it occurred then, just as it is equally appalling that stonings can occur now in the world. While the people responsible for the horrendous practice in Europe were ignorant, superstitious, self righteous, cruel, and sexist men.... their counterparts are now being seen in "modern" Iran. Of course, those Europeans ignorantly believed they were doing "God's Will" when they burned those innocents alive, also.
When is Iran going to rise from these primitive practices and learn to respect human life? I don't believe the Muslim religion is truly that backwards.... or is its practice in Iran just 400 years behind the thinking of the rest of the world?? Will future Iranians look back at their ancestor's actions with shame.... as those of European ancestry are shamed now that people were burned at the stake in their countries in the name of God??
If God has as much mercy on the individuals who carry out these stonings as they have shown others, they are in for a really bad time when it is their time to face their Creator. I don't care what religion you are, we all know there is justice at some level for the abused and tortured of the world. Their tormentors will face their actions, in this world, or the next. The religious leaders who convince their followers that this type of action is correct, will pay the most for their cruel judgments and barbaric leadership.
Iran, show some mercy for this woman. As you tortured her into a confession, show some integrity now and release her to live in some other country. If you rose to this level of responsible action, you just might gain some respect from the rest of the world. Please, act humanely, and let this poor woman go.
#4 An Outrage to all Humanity
This is the modern day equivalent to the witch huntings and burnings of Europe. At least we learned. It does not look like the middle east will ever learn.
And you know what. God does not act through another human being. You cannot punish someone else "in the name of God". God does not have enemies. And the most powerful God does not need to use force. If only the people would not concentrate on destroying and punishing each other, the middle east would be prosperous.
I see all of humanity as interconnected. As a man, even I feel her pain. The world, and humanity, cannot let Tehran do this. Look, even their own people are rebelling against their cruel government.
#5 Sexual Differences
Has any man ever been stoned? If so, how many in comparison? How is this a fair and just practice? What kind of delusional individual could say this is moral and the will of a higher being? Countries don't even torture using this method. Its completely barbaric and inhumane. Like a pack of dogs fighting and feasting over a bone! For every woman accused of adultery, there has to be a man involved. This methodology is never tolerable. EQUALITY FOR ALL!