[Deathpenalty] death penalty news-----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Jan. 22



IRAN:

Amnesty International USA Press Release ---- Amnesty International
Activists Seek to Halt Executions in Same-Sex Rape Case in Iran


Amnesty International has mobilized its activists worldwide to demand that
Iran halt the executions of two men convicted of kidnapping and raping two
men in the southern Fars province. The punishments -- being "thrown from a
height" or "cliff" -- could be carried out imminently. 4 other men in the
same case dating from May 2007 were sentenced to be flogged.

The death sentences were given to Tayyeb Karimi and Yazdan, whose surname
is not known.

Amnesty International has urged its members to send appeals to the Iranian
authorities asking that the men's sentences be commuted. Amnesty
International opposes the death penalty without exception as well as
flogging and other punishments that constitute torture or other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment.

The sentences were confirmed on January 15 by Ali Renza Jamshidi,
spokesman for the Judiciary in Iran. The head of the Iranian Judiciary
must approve all death sentences before they are carried out and has the
power to suspend the execution.

Iranian law establishes punishment for homosexual acts; the death sentence
can be imposed in cases involving sexual penetration. The executions are
commonly carried out by hanging.

"The sentence passed in this case is exceptional in its apparent intent to
inflict suffering," said Ariel Herrera, director of Amnesty International
USA's program on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender human rights. "We
continue to be very concerned that Iran is executing men, reportedly for
committing sodomy."

The sentence was also condemned by the Centre for Human Rights Defenders,
a Tehran-based human rights organization, whose members include Nobel
laureate Shirin Ebadi.

Amnesty International has provided information for individuals to contact
Iranian authorities at:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa01708.pdf

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In 2007, at least 312 people, including child offenders, were executed in
Iran, although the true figure may be considerably higher.

On December 18, 2007, the U.N. General Assembly endorsed a non-binding
resolution adopted by 104 countries calling for a worldwide moratorium on
the death penalty.

(source: Amnesty International)