UPDATE: Iran: Stay of execution for Ashraf Kalhori but your solidarity is still needed
We are glad to inform you that we have heard that Ayatollah Shahroudi has acted to stop the execution of Ashraf, the 37 year old mother of four, who was sentenced to stoning for having had extramarital sex. However, her fate is not yet clear and we urge you to continue writing to the Iranian authorities on her behalf.
Many thanks to all of you who acted to save Ashraf Kalhori from execution by stoning. The lawyer representing Ashraf, Shadi Sadr, writes:
"On her behalf, I sincerely thank every one of you for signing the petition and helping to save her life. Earlier this week, I submitted the petition to the office of the Judiciary Chief, Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi requesting remittal of her sentence. The petition included the signatures of more than a hundred Iranian women rights activists and over four thousand signatures collected online.
It is a wonderful feeling to see people coming together to save the life of another human being. I should also say that it is a great pleasure for me, as her lawyer, to share my happiness with all of you who were with us and supported the effort to save her.
However, the fate of Ashraf is not clear yet, and I am asking you to please continue your efforts and keep your voices loud until we make sure that she is safe. Furthermore, we must demand a change in the law that makes stoning illegal as a "sentence" for any crime.
I would like to thank you again for acting on time. I will continue to keep you updated on issues of stoning."
"On her behalf, I sincerely thank every one of you for signing the petition and helping to save her life. Earlier this week, I submitted the petition to the office of the Judiciary Chief, Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi requesting remittal of her sentence. The petition included the signatures of more than a hundred Iranian women rights activists and over four thousand signatures collected online.
It is a wonderful feeling to see people coming together to save the life of another human being. I should also say that it is a great pleasure for me, as her lawyer, to share my happiness with all of you who were with us and supported the effort to save her.
However, the fate of Ashraf is not clear yet, and I am asking you to please continue your efforts and keep your voices loud until we make sure that she is safe. Furthermore, we must demand a change in the law that makes stoning illegal as a "sentence" for any crime.
I would like to thank you again for acting on time. I will continue to keep you updated on issues of stoning."
Submitted on Thu, 08/10/2006 - 23:00
Related News
- "Creating a counter culture to violence: Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML)"
- Iran: New Wave of Arrests: Marzieh Rasouli and Parastou Dokouhaki taken to Evin Prison
- Pakistan: 'An Unforgivable Sin'
- Egypt: 'Female Protesters Systematically Targeted'
- Afghanistan: 'Afghan TV Challenges Attitudes Towards Domestic Violence'
Related Actions
- Afghanistan: Women included into Afghan delegation to Bonn
- WLUML Statement on Afghan women's exclusion from participation at Bonn
- Women Living Under Muslim Laws Statement on Libya
- Saudi Arabia: WLUML/VNC Statement: 'We Say "Yes" to Women's Full Enjoyment of their Rights'
- UPDATE: Iran: Maryam Bahreman Still Held Despite Order for Release
Relevant Resources
- Control and Sexuality: The Revival of Zina Laws in Muslim Contexts
- Reparations for Women Subjected to Violence: First thematic report by SRVAW
- SKSW Publications: Policy Briefing Series I
- Symposium Report: The Role of Sport in Resisting, Accommodating and in Remaking Muslim Women
- UN Report: Good Practices in Legislation on 'Harmful Practices' against Women