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Execution in
Iran
Halted: IGLHRC Cites Global Protest as Central
For Immediate Release
Contact: Hossein Alizadeh, IGLHRC Communications Coordinator, 212-430-6016
(New York, Wednesday November 14, 2007) - The International Gay and
Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has learned that the Iranian
Chief Justice, Ayatollah Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, has nullified the
impending death sentence of Mr. Makvan Mouloodzadeh, a 21-year old Iranian
citizen found guilty of multiple counts of anal rape (ighab), allegedly
committed when he was 13 years old. The Iranian Chief Justice described
the death sentence to be in violation of Islamic teachings, the religious
decrees of high-ranking Shiite clerics, and the law of the land.
"This is a stunning victory for human rights and a reminder of the power
of global protest," said Paula Ettelbrick, IGLHRC's executive director,
who on November 5 sent a letter in Persian and English asking that Iranian
authorities intervene to halt the execution.
The verdict in Mr. Mouloodzadeh's case was questionable from the outset.
Although no one ever accused him of rape, the court declared otherwise.
All parties involved in the case told the court that their statements
during the investigation were either untruthful or coerced. The
investigation was also riddled with procedural irregularities.
Recognizing that the death sentence in this case violated both
international law and the Penal Code of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
IGLHRC took action. In addition to writing letters to the Iranian
authorities, IGLHRC issued an action alert on
November 5, 2007, which prompted other human rights advocates to
similarly object. Activists from around the world responded by sending
over 100 emails demanding an immediate halt to Makvan's execution. Other
human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights
Watch, and the Iranian Queer Organization issued action alerts of their
own.
"It is absolutely imperative that we halt the deplorable use of the death
penalty to force social conformity," said Ettelbrick. "We hope that
Makvan's case and the profound rejection of the death penalty by the
Iranian Chief Justice sets the course for the future in
Iran."
After a designated group of judges from the Chief Justice's office
formally nullifies the court's decision, the case will be sent to a local
court for retrial.
You can read IGLHRC's action alert on our website:
http://www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc/section.php?id=5&detail=797
Our Letter to the Iranian authorities is also posted on our website in
both English and Persian:
http://www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc/section.php?id=5&detail=798
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The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is a
leading human rights organization solely devoted to improving the rights
of people around the world who are targeted for imprisonment, abuse or
death because of their sexuality, gender identity or HIV/AIDS status.
IGLHRC addresses human rights violations by partnering with and supporting
activists in countries around the world, monitoring and documenting human
rights abuses, engaging offending governments, and educating international
human rights officials. A non-profit, non-governmental organization,
IGLHRC is based in
New York, with offices in
Johannesburg and Buenos Aires. Visit
http://www.iglhrc.org for more
information
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