Source:

July 14, 2010

In the same prison where Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is detained, there are two other women sentenced to death by stoning. One of them is Maryam Ghorbanzadeh. She is 25 years old and is sentenced to stoning for “[engaging] in an extramarital affair.” Maryam is pregnant and expects the people of the world to help her.

Maryam’s lawyer talks of the possibility of changing the stoning sentence to execution [by hanging], which at that time an attempt will be made to turn that sentence to flogging.

The Islamic Republic has repealed the stoning sentences of 13 women in recent years as a result of international protests. In some cases, the defendants were freed after receiving 100 lashes instead. One of these women was Kobra Babaei whose sentence was repealed and she was released after [enduring] 100 lashes. Based on reports received by the International Committee against Executions, Kobra’s spine was damaged after the lashes and she now has difficulty walking. Her children say that the excruciating pain and the effects of the lashes have made their mother’s life extremely difficult.

At the moment, in Tabriz prison, a pregnant woman fights against stoning and execution. The savage punishment against Maryam Ghorbanzadeh must be condemned across the world.

The Islamic regime is misogynistic and inhumane and its savagery must be protested everywhere.

Stoning is a medieval and brutal form of punishment used against women, and at times men, who are convicted of extramarital affairs or homosexuality.

The International Committee against Executions calls on everyone to protest vehemently against the stoning punishment of Maryam Ghorbanzadeh. We demand an immediate repeal of all stoning sentences in Iran. Stoning has to be abolished in Iran and everywhere else [in the world].

Please join the movement against stoning,

The International Committee against Executions

Translation: Siavosh Jalili | Persian2English.com