Iran Election Guide

Donate to EAWV





Or, click to learn more

Search

Sunday
Jan292012

Iran Update: Guardian Council Approves New Islamic Penal Code

Radio Zamaneh reported last night that the Guardian Council has approved legislation for a revised Islamic Penal Code, announcing that it does not contradict the principles of Shari’a or the Constitution of the Islamic Republic constitution.

Parliament said necessary reforms had been made; however, analysts claim that the code is still unchanged on matters such as stoning, dismemberment and execution of minors, and gender discrimination.

We re-post the critique of United4Iran and Arseh Sevom, originally featured on EA on 7 January:

The "Islamic Penal Bill" flouts Iran's legal obligations under the ICCPR [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]. The legislation endangers free expression and reinforces laws that violate the rights of Iranian citizens. The bill fails to prohibit stoning, lashing, and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading punishments; redress discriminatory laws; or, raise the age of majority for girls and boys. In a particularly worrisome clause, the bill expands punishment for "actions against national security", a charge that has routinely been used to persecute dissidents.

A review of the bill (pdf in Persianhub ) by Forum for Justice raises serious concerns about the following:

  • Sexual relations outside of wedlock and extramarital affairs remain criminalized. The new bill does not proscribe stoning as a punishment and gives judges free reign to cite religious interpretations of the law, which allows them to continue using stoning and other harsh punishments. The bill states:
  • "The judge is duty bound to make all efforts to find the proper sentence in the codified laws. If he fails to do so he should issue the sentence in accordance with the valid Islamic sources or valid fatwas [ed: precedents based on interpretations of the law by recognized religious figures]. The judge cannot use the absence or insufficiency or brevity or conflict of the codified laws as an excuse to refuse to issue a verdict. "

  • This bill allows for the execution of minors. Only minors who can prove they lack the mental ability to understand their actions and the prohibitions will be exempt.
  • Several articles increase the severity of punishment for "action against national security." This is one of the most commonly used charges against dissidents, human rights defenders, and members of the Baha'i community.
  • The new bill reinforces inequalities among citizens and fails to redress discriminatory laws against women and religious minorities.
  • The value of a woman's testimony remains half of that of a man.
  • Girls will continue to be treated as adults from the age of nine and boys from the age of fifteen in the case of criminal activity.
  • Muslim women will continue to receive half the compensation for damages as Muslim men. Non-Muslim women will receive even less, with the damages awarded only a quarter of those awarded to a Muslim man.
  • Same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized. Punishments can range from one hundred lashes to execution

PrintView Printer Friendly Version

EmailEmail Article to Friend

« Syria, Bahrain (and Beyond) Live Coverage: The Opposition Expands | Main | Syria Opinion: "Women Have Been Essential in the Uprising" (Allaf) »

References (9)

References allow you to track sources for this article, as well as articles that were written in response to this article.
  • Response
    Football is seriously one of the most significant sports in America. It has a key following.
  • Response
    Potential is an amazing part of the associated with pr nike air max ofessional particular sports. Potential can be re nike air max outlet warded with multi-million dollar endorsement deals before an athlete has even stepped foot on a wedding specialist playing sectors. Highly paid NB air max españa A
  • Response
    Response: ways to make money
    EA WorldView - Home - Iran Update: Guardian Council Approves New Islamic Penal Code
  • Response
    If enjoy your style,Scarpe Air Max, unique design and cushioning / support sys Scarpe Air Max tems,http://icel.it/page/max.asp, merely the simple fact that they are Nike brand http://icel.it/page/max.asp ,Nike Air Max Women, you is not able to make the choice buy your meal a associated with Ni Nike Air Max Women k ...
  • Response
    Seize BURBERRY designer style to your contractor. More br Longchamp Bolsos Baratos and accessaries pr Longchamp Bolsos Precios omising quality, unique design and endless durability. Each lady fashion handbags to carry their works of art. Hundreds of style and type of women handbag, women wallet, and Bolsos Longchamp e
  • Response
    Next time you examine a handbag,253326402, just stop and think for a second ab 253326402 out this is that atracts a person to Bolsos Longchamp Precios that particular handbag.If you believe about the handbags you already own, and I'm certain it's not more than one, try to thing what i Longchamp ...
  • Response
    Response: ways to make money
    EA WorldView - Home - Iran Update: Guardian Council Approves New Islamic Penal Code
  • Response
    Response: ways to make money
    EA WorldView - Home - Iran Update: Guardian Council Approves New Islamic Penal Code
  • Response
    The situation of NBA is complicate ニューバランス レディース 人気 d, however, the NBA related items nonetheless popular. The NBA shoes are mo メンズ ダウンジャケット re than mere fashion footwear. The shoes endorsed or worn by less difficult player especially the famous NBA star c オークリー 公式通販 onstantly highly desirable

Reader Comments

There are no comments for this journal entry. To create a new comment, use the form below.

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>