THE TELEGRAPH: Rise in capital punishment under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite pledge to cut down on the death penalty
Saudi Arabia has reached a record high for executions despite pledges to cut down the death penalty.
There have been some 208 deaths so far in 2024, eclipsing the 2022 record of 196, 81 in a single day.
The executions have been carried out under reformist Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has overseen at least 1,447 executions carried out since he was made Crown Prince to his elderly father, Salman, in 2015.
It comes as on October 9, UN member states will vote on whether to allow Saudi Arabia a seat on the Human Rights Council.
Reforms made in the kingdom include allowing women to drive and bringing in some of the world’s top names in sport and entertainment.
However, the rise in capital punishment continues, with 32 in September alone, and 41 in August, the 2024 monthly high so far, despite a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in 2020. » | Melanie Swan | Sunday, October 6, 2024
Showing posts with label executions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label executions. Show all posts
Sunday, October 06, 2024
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Iran Execution of Child Condemned by UN Human Rights Office
GUARDIAN EUROPE: Seventeen-year-old Hamidreza Azari was executed along with Milad Zohrevand, 22, as UN agency calls for moratorium on capital punishment
The United Nations said Tuesday it deplored the executions of a 17-year-old and a 22-year old in Iran and urged Tehran to immediately stop applying the death penalty.
The UN Human Rights Office said it was troubled by Friday’s executions. “The execution of Hamidreza Azari, who was accused of murder, is the first reported execution of an alleged child offender in Iran this year,” spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell said in a statement.
She reminded Tehran of its obligation under international conventions to prohibit death sentences and their implementation for crimes committed by individuals below the age of 18.
“We are also troubled by the execution, on the same day, of 22-year-old Milad Zohrevand – the eighth person to be executed in the context of the September 2022 protests,” said Throssell.
“Available information indicates that his trial lacked the basic requirements for due process under international human rights law. There are also troubling reports that Zohrevand’s parents were arrested following his execution.
“We deplore the executions.” » | Agence-France Presse | Wednesday, November 29, 2023
This tells us all we need to know about Islam! It is a religion characterised by mercilessness and brutality. – © Mark Alexander
‘It is not possible to organise in Iran’: jailed activist warns of totalitarianism after Mahsa Amini protests: Majid Tavakoli says protesters should have had more help from abroad but the west doesn’t understand what Iran has become »
The United Nations said Tuesday it deplored the executions of a 17-year-old and a 22-year old in Iran and urged Tehran to immediately stop applying the death penalty.
The UN Human Rights Office said it was troubled by Friday’s executions. “The execution of Hamidreza Azari, who was accused of murder, is the first reported execution of an alleged child offender in Iran this year,” spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell said in a statement.
She reminded Tehran of its obligation under international conventions to prohibit death sentences and their implementation for crimes committed by individuals below the age of 18.
“We are also troubled by the execution, on the same day, of 22-year-old Milad Zohrevand – the eighth person to be executed in the context of the September 2022 protests,” said Throssell.
“Available information indicates that his trial lacked the basic requirements for due process under international human rights law. There are also troubling reports that Zohrevand’s parents were arrested following his execution.
“We deplore the executions.” » | Agence-France Presse | Wednesday, November 29, 2023
This tells us all we need to know about Islam! It is a religion characterised by mercilessness and brutality. – © Mark Alexander
‘It is not possible to organise in Iran’: jailed activist warns of totalitarianism after Mahsa Amini protests: Majid Tavakoli says protesters should have had more help from abroad but the west doesn’t understand what Iran has become »
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Iran's New Anti-LGBTQ Laws: Executions, Criminalization and Social Injustices against Homosexuality
Feb 21, 2022 | Iran executed two gay men convicted for being homosexual. Homosexuality is illegal in Iran. This execution occurred is part of the state sponsored persecution and criminalization of homosexuality and LGBTQ people.
These two men, Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi spent six years on death row and were hanged as punishment for “sexual intercourse between two men.”
Last July, two other men were executed for the same charges. Last year, Iran executed 299 people accused of actions that are lesbian or gay, including 4 people convicted as children.
Currently, an Iranian LGBTQ activist is being held on charges linked to her appearance in a BBC documentary on gay rights. Zahra Sedighi-Hamadan was arrested while trying to flee to neighboring Turkey. Iranian prosecutors charged her for “spreading corruption on earth” and “promoting homosexuality.”
Homosexuality is banned in Iran withers penal code explicitly criminalizing sexual behavior between people of the same sex.
UN investigators have attempted to share the information about the alarming rate Iran continues to implement the death penalty. Following strict sharia law, homosexual relations are punishable by death. Under the same laws, sodomy, rape, adultery, robbery, and murder are among crimes that lead to the death penalty.
Caution: Discretion is advised when viewing this documentary. It is not suitable for children. – Mark
These two men, Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi spent six years on death row and were hanged as punishment for “sexual intercourse between two men.”
Last July, two other men were executed for the same charges. Last year, Iran executed 299 people accused of actions that are lesbian or gay, including 4 people convicted as children.
Currently, an Iranian LGBTQ activist is being held on charges linked to her appearance in a BBC documentary on gay rights. Zahra Sedighi-Hamadan was arrested while trying to flee to neighboring Turkey. Iranian prosecutors charged her for “spreading corruption on earth” and “promoting homosexuality.”
Homosexuality is banned in Iran withers penal code explicitly criminalizing sexual behavior between people of the same sex.
UN investigators have attempted to share the information about the alarming rate Iran continues to implement the death penalty. Following strict sharia law, homosexual relations are punishable by death. Under the same laws, sodomy, rape, adultery, robbery, and murder are among crimes that lead to the death penalty.
Caution: Discretion is advised when viewing this documentary. It is not suitable for children. – Mark
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Please Help Save Mohammad’s Life and Help Shine a Spotlight on Iran’s Horrific Execution Program
AVAAZ: The world in action
“Mohammad is now on death row, and could be hanged any day. Iran is already under pressure - and global outcries have stopped executions before. There’s no time to waste: share with all your friends now, and when it’s huge, Avaaz will bring our voices to the UN Rights Chief and key governments - and we’ll make Mohammad’s story famous in the media.”
Please help save this young man’ slife and sign the petition here.
“Mohammad is now on death row, and could be hanged any day. Iran is already under pressure - and global outcries have stopped executions before. There’s no time to waste: share with all your friends now, and when it’s huge, Avaaz will bring our voices to the UN Rights Chief and key governments - and we’ll make Mohammad’s story famous in the media.”
Please help save this young man’ slife and sign the petition here.
Monday, May 08, 2023
'Fire under the Ashes': Why Executions Are Not Stopping Iranian Protesters
Jan 23, 2023 IRAN | It has been more than four months since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran's morality police sparked waves of protests across the country.
After mass arrests, the Iranian regime has now begun executing people connected to the protests in what the UN human rights office has called ‘unfair trials based on forced confessions’. As concern grows for those demanding change in Iran, journalist Deepa Parent explains what we know about the executions so far – and how they have created a 'fire under the ashes' by fuelling protesters' anger.
READ THE GUARDIAN ARTICLE:
Iran hangs two men for blasphemy as executions rise amid unrest: Deaths take number of prisoners executed to at least 203 since start of this year, says human rights group »
After mass arrests, the Iranian regime has now begun executing people connected to the protests in what the UN human rights office has called ‘unfair trials based on forced confessions’. As concern grows for those demanding change in Iran, journalist Deepa Parent explains what we know about the executions so far – and how they have created a 'fire under the ashes' by fuelling protesters' anger.
READ THE GUARDIAN ARTICLE:
Iran hangs two men for blasphemy as executions rise amid unrest: Deaths take number of prisoners executed to at least 203 since start of this year, says human rights group »
Sunday, January 08, 2023
US Condemns Iran for Hanging Anti-government Protesters - BBC News
Jan 8, 2023 | Two men have been hanged in Iran for killing a member of the security forces during nationwide protests against the government last year. Mohammad Mahdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini had appealed against their sentences, saying they had been tortured into making false confessions.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the executions were "abhorrent". The total number of protesters known to have been executed in the aftermath of the unrest is now four.
Demonstrations against the clerical establishment erupted in September following the death in custody of a woman detained by morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab, or headscarf, "improperly".
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the executions were "abhorrent". The total number of protesters known to have been executed in the aftermath of the unrest is now four.
Demonstrations against the clerical establishment erupted in September following the death in custody of a woman detained by morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab, or headscarf, "improperly".
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Iranian Family Torn Apart by Protest Crackdown | DW News
Monday, December 12, 2022
Iran Crackdown: Second Man Executed over Anti-regime Protests
here.
How Is Iran's Brutal Crackdown Impacting the Protest Movement? | DW News
Related links here.
Iran Carries Out Second Execution over Protests – BBC News
Related article here.
Iran Carries Out Second Execution Linked to Nationwide Protests
THE GUARDIAN: Majidreza Rahnavard accused of fatally stabbing security force members early in protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death in custody
Majidreza Rahnavard is the second person to have been executed in relation to the protests in Iran. Photograph: social media
Iran has publicly hanged a man accused of killing two members of the security forces in its second use of capital punishment against anti-government protesters.
Majidreza Rahnavard’s family were woken early on Monday morning to be informed that he had been executed and that his body had been buried in a lot in the local cemetery.
Rahnavard, a 23-year-old wrestler, had been sentenced to death by a court in the city of Mashhad for allegedly killing two members of the Basij volunteer force and wounding four others. The Basij force, affiliated with the country’s Revolutionary Guards, has been at the forefront of the state crackdown on protests.
The judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported that he was arrested on 19 November while trying to flee the country. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Monday, December 12, 2022
Iran has publicly hanged a man accused of killing two members of the security forces in its second use of capital punishment against anti-government protesters.
Majidreza Rahnavard’s family were woken early on Monday morning to be informed that he had been executed and that his body had been buried in a lot in the local cemetery.
Rahnavard, a 23-year-old wrestler, had been sentenced to death by a court in the city of Mashhad for allegedly killing two members of the Basij volunteer force and wounding four others. The Basij force, affiliated with the country’s Revolutionary Guards, has been at the forefront of the state crackdown on protests.
The judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported that he was arrested on 19 November while trying to flee the country. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Monday, December 12, 2022
Saturday, December 10, 2022
How Do European Countries Respond to the First Execution of a Protester in Iran? | DW News
Friday, December 09, 2022
Iran Carries Out First Known Execution over Protests | DW News
Dec 9, 2022 | Iran has announced the first execution of a protester, who was convicted of injuring a member of the security forces. Twenty-three-year-old Mohsen Shekari was hanged in Tehran after what human rights groups condemned as a sham trial.
Iran has seen mass anti-regime protests since the death of a young Kurdish woman, the 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini, in the custody of "morality police," who had arrested her for allegedly not wearing the hijab, or Islamic head scarf, appropriately.
According to human rights organizations, about 18,000 protesters have been arrested so far. At least 11 of them have been convicted of "war against God."
Related BBC video here.
AU LIRE :
En Iran, un premier manifestant de 23 ans exécuté, des dizaines d’autres condamnés risquent la mort : Selon Amnesty International, vingt-huit personnes dont trois mineurs, arrêtées depuis le début de la contestation iranienne, risquent le même sort. »
Iran has seen mass anti-regime protests since the death of a young Kurdish woman, the 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini, in the custody of "morality police," who had arrested her for allegedly not wearing the hijab, or Islamic head scarf, appropriately.
According to human rights organizations, about 18,000 protesters have been arrested so far. At least 11 of them have been convicted of "war against God."
Related BBC video here.
AU LIRE :
En Iran, un premier manifestant de 23 ans exécuté, des dizaines d’autres condamnés risquent la mort : Selon Amnesty International, vingt-huit personnes dont trois mineurs, arrêtées depuis le début de la contestation iranienne, risquent le même sort. »
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
UK Condemns ‘Abhorrent’ Torture of Death Row Inmate in Saudi Arabia
THE GUARDIAN: Foreign Office minister says case of Hussein Abo al-Kheir raised ‘at highest level’ and demands end to executions
Hussein Abo al-Kheir is on death row in Saudi Arabia for drug offences; he has said he only confessed under torture. Photograph: European Saudi organisation for human rights
The British government has condemned as “abhorrent” what it said was the clear torture of a Jordanian national on death row in Saudi Arabia for drug offences, and demanded an end to a sudden spate of executions in the Gulf monarchy.
It was the first time the British government has made the allegation.
After growing pressure to comment on the issue, Foreign Office minister David Rutley told parliament that London had raised Hussein Abo al-Kheir’s case “at the highest level”.
The kingdom had previously given a commitment it would not impose the death penalty for drug offences, but has suddenly resumed executions. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Monday, November 28, 2022
It is to be presumed that this execution, along with all others in the Kingdom, is to take place “In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful”. – Mark Alexander
The British government has condemned as “abhorrent” what it said was the clear torture of a Jordanian national on death row in Saudi Arabia for drug offences, and demanded an end to a sudden spate of executions in the Gulf monarchy.
It was the first time the British government has made the allegation.
After growing pressure to comment on the issue, Foreign Office minister David Rutley told parliament that London had raised Hussein Abo al-Kheir’s case “at the highest level”.
The kingdom had previously given a commitment it would not impose the death penalty for drug offences, but has suddenly resumed executions. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Monday, November 28, 2022
It is to be presumed that this execution, along with all others in the Kingdom, is to take place “In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful”. – Mark Alexander
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Saudi Execution Spree Continues as Fears Rise for Jordanian on Death Row
THE GUARDIAN: David Davis asks foreign secretary and Saudi ambassador to intervene in reprieve for Hussein Abo al-Kheir
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday executed two more Saudi citizens for drug offences, taking the total number of executions in the past fortnight to 17.
The kingdom had previously given a commitment it would not impose the death penalty for drug offences, but has suddenly gone back on its word, executing seven Saudi and 10 foreign nationals. Saudi Arabia has already executed 130 people this year.
The spate of executions, as the kingdom celebrates its victory over Argentina in the World Cup, has prompted the former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis to write to the UK foreign secretary, James Cleverly, and the Saudi ambassador in the UK to ask them to intervene to reprieve Hussein Abo al-Kheir, a Jordanian man. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday executed two more Saudi citizens for drug offences, taking the total number of executions in the past fortnight to 17.
The kingdom had previously given a commitment it would not impose the death penalty for drug offences, but has suddenly gone back on its word, executing seven Saudi and 10 foreign nationals. Saudi Arabia has already executed 130 people this year.
The spate of executions, as the kingdom celebrates its victory over Argentina in the World Cup, has prompted the former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis to write to the UK foreign secretary, James Cleverly, and the Saudi ambassador in the UK to ask them to intervene to reprieve Hussein Abo al-Kheir, a Jordanian man. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Monday, October 10, 2022
Iran Executes 2 Gay Men over Sodomy Charges
Iran Has One of the World's Highest Execution Rates | DW News
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Saudi Arabia Executes 81 Men in 24 Hours
THE GUARDIAN: Officials say those executed were convicted of charges including terrorism and holding ‘deviant beliefs’
A man walks past a banner showing King Salman, right, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, outside a mall in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. Photograph: Amr Nabil/AP
Saudi Arabia has executed 81 men over the past 24 hours, including seven Yemenis and one Syrian national, on charges including terrorism and holding “deviant beliefs“, state news agency SPA said on Saturday.
The number dwarfed the 67 executions reported in the kingdom in all of 2021 and the 27 in 2020.
“These individuals … were convicted of various crimes including murdering innocent men, women and children,” SPA said, citing a statement from the interior ministry.
“Crimes committed by these individuals also include pledging allegiance to foreign terrorist organisations, such as Isis (Islamic State), al-Qaeda and the Houthis,” it added.
Some travelled to conflict zones to join “terrorist organisations“, SPA said. » | Reuters | Saturday, March 12, 2022
Fear not! You can rest assured that all 81 were executed ‘In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful’! – Mark
PS: Expect this website to be hacked very shortly!
Saudi Arabia has executed 81 men over the past 24 hours, including seven Yemenis and one Syrian national, on charges including terrorism and holding “deviant beliefs“, state news agency SPA said on Saturday.
The number dwarfed the 67 executions reported in the kingdom in all of 2021 and the 27 in 2020.
“These individuals … were convicted of various crimes including murdering innocent men, women and children,” SPA said, citing a statement from the interior ministry.
“Crimes committed by these individuals also include pledging allegiance to foreign terrorist organisations, such as Isis (Islamic State), al-Qaeda and the Houthis,” it added.
Some travelled to conflict zones to join “terrorist organisations“, SPA said. » | Reuters | Saturday, March 12, 2022
Fear not! You can rest assured that all 81 were executed ‘In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful’! – Mark
PS: Expect this website to be hacked very shortly!
Thursday, December 10, 2020
In Trump’s Final Days, a Rush of Federal Executions
BBC: As President Donald Trump's days in the White House wane, his administration is racing through a string of federal executions.
Five executions are scheduled before President-elect Joe Biden's 20 January inauguration - breaking with an 130-year-old precedent of pausing executions amid a presidential transition.
And if all five take place, Mr Trump will be the country's most prolific execution president in more than a century, overseeing the executions of 13 death row inmates since July of this year.
The five executions are to begin this week, starting with convicted killers 40-year-old Brandon Bernard and 56-year-old Alfred Bourgeois. They are both scheduled to be put to death at a penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. » | Holly Honderich | BBC News, Washington | Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Five executions are scheduled before President-elect Joe Biden's 20 January inauguration - breaking with an 130-year-old precedent of pausing executions amid a presidential transition.
And if all five take place, Mr Trump will be the country's most prolific execution president in more than a century, overseeing the executions of 13 death row inmates since July of this year.
The five executions are to begin this week, starting with convicted killers 40-year-old Brandon Bernard and 56-year-old Alfred Bourgeois. They are both scheduled to be put to death at a penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. » | Holly Honderich | BBC News, Washington | Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
In Rare Surge of Online Unity, Iranians Call for Halt to Executions
Iranians from all walks of life — teachers, doctors, designers, cooks, actors, directors, artists, homemakers, bloggers — have taken to social media with a message for the government: Stop the executions.
The online campaign, which took place on Tuesday and which analysts said was remarkable for its scope and the breadth of its support, was in response to the judiciary’s announcement earlier in the day that it had upheld the death sentences of three young men who joined antigovernment protests in November.
Iran put 251 people to death last year, more than any country but China, according to Amnesty International. In recent weeks, many Iranians have been rattled by a series of executions based on murky charges, from drinking alcohol to political activism to allegedly spying for the C.I.A.
“I’m next, you’re next, we’re next,” read a meme that was widely shared online. » | Farnaz Fassihi | Wednesday, July 15, 2020
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