Not one more execution

A piece from Maryam Namazie which first featured on her own blog on 24 November 2012

Don’t forget that today is the international day of protest against executions and for the release of political prisoners in Iran. Join this day of protest to bring attention to and stop the state-sponsored killings. Write protest letters, join actions and rallies in your city of residence, or carry out acts of solidarity… anything that will help raise our voices in unison against the executions and torture. They must be stopped now.

You can find a list of events taking place here and here (in English).

Here’s more on why the day is important from Mina Ahadi:

In another tsunami of executions, the Islamic regime of Iran has executed 57 people in the last two weeks.

On 11 November, we received news that 35 people had been executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashad, including a 21 year old and 4 Afghans (one of whom was a human rights campaigner). On 13 November, 8 were executed in Gohardasht prison. On 14 November, 3 were publicly executed in Arak and 1 was executed in Rejaee Shahr Prison. Currently, 3,000 people, many young, are on death row in Iran. The pretext for these killings is often drug trafficking or similar offences.

Others have been killed under torture whilst in custody, including Jamil Sowaidi in Ahvaz and blogger Sattar Beheshti. Beheshti was buried in the presence of armed security forces this week. His family was effectively prevented from holding his funeral and were put under pressure not to contact international media. Political prisoners who were with Beheshti have written a joint letter attesting to his heinous torture marks. Death row prisoner Zanyar Moradi’s father recently reported that his son is again being tortured in prison whilst labour activist Shahrokh Zamani recently reported on the horrific tortures he and others have faced in prison via two letters smuggled out from prison. The maltreatment of women prisoners, including lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, has also recently been highlighted in the media. There is talk of stepping up executions from some officials.

The executions and deaths in custody are meant to intimidate the public and stifle social protests, particularly given the economic crisis and widespread poverty and opposition to the regime.

Mina Ahadi
International Committee against Execution
International Committee against Stoning
Email: minaahadi@aol.com
Tel: 0049 (0) 1775692413
http://notonemoreexecution.org
http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/

5 comments:

  1. If we believe capital punishment has no place in our human society we will support campaigns like this.

    I firmly believe it should be abolished. As for torture and capital punishment the fact that the leading Western country, the USA, has used both completely undermines the case made against both from within Western society. The US is not an example to be followed

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  2. What has happened and continues to happen in Iran is seriously gross.
    I know you are going to disagree with me Mackers, but I think there is a world of difference betweeen the murder i.e executions of political hostages, the patriarchal/religion driven stoning of women and some child killer dying by whatever method.
    I cannot even read Milly's trial cannot even listen to the TV coverage, really would not care if the perpetrator was tied to two horses going in different directions and I have grave reservations about the mother.

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  3. Apologies if I deviated from the post: People who highlight such atrocities should always be commended.
    I have a friend who keeps us pretty up-dated about Iran.
    Pretty horrific stuff going on out there and going on daily.

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  4. Nuala,

    I don't disagree with you as such. I just think regardless of the circumstance there should not be a death penalty. Could I work up the moral outrage to go on a march to prevent Millie's killer being strung up? I don't thimk so. I would just comment don't use hanging. I think we would need to be devoid of all human emotion not to differentiate and vent our prejudices.

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  5. I found Maryams post disturbing and also a warning that we need to maintain what little rights we have,these are being eroded by the year and we need to be watchful.I find myself on one hand against capital punishment looking upon it as barbaric and a throwback to times best left in the past,on the other hand when I see kids with the haunted dead look of heroin addicts then I think that those who caused this misery for profit should be executed,alongside peadophiles,throw in those who let those brave men die on hungerstrike,and the paras who slaughtered the innocent on Bloody Sunday,and all of a sudden I,ve become Madam Defarge

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