Stop the Executions

 

Updates

 

August 29 Ebrahim Hamidi has been transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran from Tabriz.

There is also unconfirmed news that Ali Saremi has been transferred to an undisclosed location.

As we saw with the Mother's Day (May 9, 2010) executions, the transfer of condemned political prisoners can be a sign of pending executions.

August 29 Islamic Republic of Iran Threatens Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani with 29 August Execution

On the afternoon of August 28th, following a multitude of worldwide demonstrations in at least 111 cities, the authorities of Tabriz Prison informed Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani that she should write her will because she was to be executed early the morning of August 29. Sakineh cried, wrote her will and waited for the morning when she was to be taken to the site of the execution. Her fellow inmates were deeply saddened and they tried to surround her with loving comfort. But as of the afternoon of the 29th of August there is still no news. It seems that even though the Islamic Repblic of Iran finds itself under massive international pressure it is determined to show that it will not bow to world opinion.

The International Commmittee Against Stoning and The International Committee Against Execution hold the murderous Islamic Republic of Iran guilty of this barbaric tactic which is widely used against inmates sentenced to death. This is only part of the lawlessness shown toward prisoners by the Iranian government's execution boards. This year the regime has held mock execution for hundreds of political prisoners to break their resistance. Azar Bogheri, a young woman in prison for four years, since age 15, on charges of adultery is under a sentence of death by stoning. They have taken her to the stoning field twice in mock executions.

The crimes of this regime are limitless. Bringing the protests of the Iranian people to the international level is the only way to compel this government to accept world opinion as the final word on human rights. The International Commmittee Against Stoning and The International Committee Against Execution started this campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran. They are striving with all their might to save Sakineh and others sentenced to death by stoning. The rest of world is strongly encouraged to join this campaign and broaden it further.

The International Commmittee Against Stoning
The International Committee Against Execution
29 August 2010

(Translation by @shary20, @anahita999 and @khazelton)
Farsi original

August 10 Another Ashura protester, Farah Vazehan, has been sentenced to death.

August 4 Silence is Compliance: Take Action. There is a video from the Arizona chapter of Democracy and Freedom for Iran urging people to take action against executions.

There will be global protests from Thursday, August 5 through Sunday, August 8 against the executions of Javad Laari, Abdolreza Ghanbari, Jafar Kazemi, Mohammad-Ali Haj-Aghaie, Ahmad Daneshpour Moghadam, Mohsen Daneshpour Moghadam, Mohammad Ali Saremi, and others at risk of execution by the Islamic Republic. Confirmed cities are:

Australia

• Sydney: Saturday August 7, time TBD at the QVB, under the statue, Town Hall end

Canada

• Ottawa: Thursday August 5, 7pm PH Ottawa
• Ottawa: Saturday August 7, 12pm, in front of Parliament (contact: +44 (0) 7984445278); organized by Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)

Georgia

• Tbilisi: Thursday August 5 14.00 Government of Georgia, Chancellery, Tbilisi, 7 Ingorokva St.

Germany

• Berlin: Thursday August 5 at 20:00, Mitte, Gendarmenmarkt; organized by Mission Free Iran

Italy: Committed; Time and location TBD
Sweden

• Borås: Saturday August 7 at 2pm, Stortorget; organized by Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)
• Gotenburg: Saturday August 7 at 2pm, Bronzenpark; organized by Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)
• Helsingborg: Saturday August 7 at 2pm, Stortorget; organized by Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)
• Malmo: Saturday August 7 at 2pm, at Davidshalls Bron between Triangeln and Gustav Adolfs Torg; organized by Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)
• Stockholm: Saturday August 7 at 2pm, Sergelstorg; organized by Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)
• Visby: 15:00-16:50, Picket at Öster Centrum

UK

• Glasgow, Scotland: 2:00 pm on Buchanan Street at the junction with Gordon Street, outside Borders Books
• London, England: Saturday August 7, 2pm, Trafalgar Square (contact: +44 (0) 7984445278); organized by Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)

USA

• Houston, TX: Friday August 6 5pm in front of Al-Hadi Mosque
• Los Angeles, CA: Thursday August 5 from 6-7:30pm in front of the L.A. Federal Building
• Washington, DC: Thursday August 5 at 6:30 pm in Lafayette Park - Pennsylvania Ave and Jackson Pl, NW
• Washington, DC: Sunday August 8 at 12pm in front of the Islamic Republic Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy – 2209 Wisconsin Ave NW

August 2 The Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) reported today that bazaari Javad Laari has been sentenced to death as Moharabeh.

 

Please write Letter to the Editor to world and local newspapers to raise awareness about the condemned political prisoners.

August 1 Six prisoners are in imminent danger of execution. They are: Abdolreza Ghanbari, Jafar Kazemi, Mohammad-Ali Haj-Aghaie, Ahmad Daneshpour Moghadam, his son Mohsen Daneshpour Moghadam, and Mohammad Ali Saremi.

We noted on May 15 that their sentences were upheld by the appeals court, but they have now been finalized. The six prisoners could be executed at any time, without prior notice.

We have sample letters to the UN and Iranian authorities, urging the regime to overturn these sentences.

We have also posted information about the six prisoners and the regime's crimes against humanity on CNN iReport.

July 29 Urgent: It was announced today that Jafar Kazemi's death sentence has been upheld by the Supreme Court, and sent to enforcement. He is likely in imminent danger of execution.

We have updated a sample letter to the Iranian authorities and have created one to the United Nations on Jafar Kazemi's behalf.

July 25 Urgent: Mohammad Mostafaei's wife and brother-in-law were arrested at approximately 11 pm on Saturday, July 24. Earlier Saturday Mostafaei himself attended an 4-hour interrogation session at Evin prison. Later security forces went to Mr. Mostafaei’s office with an arrest warrant, but he was not present there. Mostafaei is a prominent human rights attorney in Iran who has represented death-row youths Behnoud Shojaei and Mohammad Reza Haddadi, as well as recently publicizing Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's stoning case. More information...

July 22 Good news: Ali Mahitorabi was released yesterday after serving eight years in prison. Mahitorabi was condemned to death as a juvenile for allegedly murdering another youth. His lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaei, that the sentence was commuted and the victim's family agreed to accept Diyeh, or blood money, in lieu of execution. According to the article, Mostafaei attributes the release of his client to the tireless efforts of social activists, artists and journalists.

July 11 Zainab Jalalian's lawyer, Dr. Mohammad Sharifi, announced that he is "optimistic" about an appeal, after meeting with the Tehran prosecutor, Jafari Dolatabadi. According to Dr. Sharifi's statement, Dolatabadi has agreed to move Zainab to Kermanshah prison, which will make it easier for her family to visit. Though this is good news, we know the regime has a history of lying or making small concessions to divert public attention. We cannot stop sending letters and speaking out for Zainab's life. Please, send a letter to Iranian officials and the United Nations to save Zainab's life.

July 9 United4Iran has designed a postcard to be sent to key officials in Iran, and Iranian consulates and embassies throughout the world on behalf of Zainab Jalalian.

There is hope for Mohammad Reza Haddadi. Activist Shirin Ebadi has spoken with Mehdi Rahmat, the son of Mohammad Bagher Rahmat, who Haddadi is accused of murdering in 2003. Rahmat is quoted as saying, "I can’t say no. I can’t turn down Ms. Ebadi. I can’t do it on humanitarian grounds." Under Iranian law, Mehdi Rahmat can choose to forgo the Qisas (restitution; a victim's family's legal right to demand execution) against Haddadi.

July 6 There is serious concern about the welfare of Kurdish prisoner Aziz Mohammadzadeh. While on a hunger strike in Saghez prison 5 months ago, he was taken away by prison authorities. His family has not been able to find any information about his status and whereabouts, as authorities tell them that Aziz was released.

July 5 Two people were hanged in Orumiyeh Prison for alleged drug trafficking. Five people (currently unnamed) were moved to Orumiyeh Prison, which indicates more executions are pending.

Amnesty International called for an immediate commutation of all death sentences and expressed concern specifically over the pending executions of Zainab Jalalian and of Sakineh Mohammadi, sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery.

URGENT ACTION is needed to save Mohammad Reza Haddadi. His execution date has been set for 7 July 2010.

Note: "It is important to note that the July 7th date of execution was announced to Mohammad Reza's family, but prison officials and the court never actually confirmed this date. According to the most recent statement from defense lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei, no date has been announced for the execution. According to the regulations of retribution (Qesas), lawyers are to be given 48 hours notice prior to the execution. Mostafaei claims that he has not received 48 hours prior notice. The only date confirmed is Mohammad Reza Haddadi's final meeting date called for Tuesday July 6, 2010."(from Persian2English)

We have provided a sample letter to Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for the Office of Human Rights on Mohammad Reza Haddadi's behalf. We also urge you to write to Iranian authorities to stop this illegal and senseless execution. Mohammad Reza Haddadi was sentenced to death as a minor (15 years old), which is a violation of international law and UN conventions to which Iran is a signatory.

Immediate action is needed to save Kurdish political prisoner Zainab Jalalian.

June 30 Human Rights Watch has called for an immediate halt to the Islamic Republic's plan to execute Zainab and condemns her lack of access to a lawyer. From the source, "Khalil Bahramian, a lawyer who represented Farzad Kamangar, one of four Kurdish dissidents executed without warning in May, told the Persian-language website Roozonline that his efforts to represent Jalalian have been rebuffed by the government and that he is not certain where she is being held."

Zahra Rahnavard has written regarding Zainab's pending execution, "Will God forgive us for destroying and ending the life a women who embodies universal compassion and tenderness? Zeynab is a young girl. Why is this young girl not able to benefit from information, awareness, knowledge of our history, sociology, and other such matters?"

June 26 Imminent danger of execution. Zainab Jalalian has reportedly been moved to Evin Prison's Ward 209 and is in immediate danger. Her lawyer, Khalil Bahramian, has stated that United Nations intervention is the only chance to save Zeinab's life.

Take Action: Send appeal letters to the UN's Navi Pillay and to the Iranian Judiciary for Zainab Jalalian now!

June 15 It was reported today that execution orders have been issued for two Kurdish prisoners, Mohammadamin Agooshi and Ahmad Pouladkhani.

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