Rights groups condemn stoning and mass executions in Iran

The International Federation of Human Rights (FDHI) and the League for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI) issued a statement to condemn the stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and the alleged secret mass execution of prisoners in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison.

The two rights organizations urge the Islamic Republic authorities to cease the use of the death penalty as “an instrument for the oppression of dissidents and intimidating the public.”

The statement goes on to refer to stoning as “the most heinous” form of sentencing which is condemned by international law and adds that the Islamic Republic is violating its international commitments by allowing its courts to continue issuing the death by stoning sentence.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was sentenced to death by stoning by Iranian judiciary for the charge of adultery. The stoning sentence has so far been suspended after its news translated into international pressure and widespread protests from human rights groups.

The two rights groups notes reports regarding the execution of hundreds of prisoners in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison saying: “According to these reports over a hundred people are scheduled to be executed and are sitting on death row in sections 101, 102, 103 and 104, the execution section of the prison.”

The statement writes that the “mass executions” which are being organized and carried out in secret, clearly attest to their violation of international laws.

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported that “reliable sources” have informed them that hundreds of prisoners have been executed in the Mashhad VakilAbad Prison in recent months.

Reportedly a high number of these prisoners were convicted of drug related charges.

The FDHI and LDDHI go on to add that the Islamic Republic is “ignoring” all the recommendations and resolutions of the United Nations and only a fraction of these executions are being reflected in their official statistics.

They also maintain that “the date and location of executions has been repeatedly kept a secret from the families of prisoners, their lawyers and the public.”