To All Living Things
Last Week's Column

Amnesty Action:
Death Penalty in Iran
Kathy Gay

his week’s action from Amnesty International concerns the potential execution of a 20-year-old woman in Iran.

In August the young woman was reportedly arrested and charged with engaging in sexual relations outside marriage. She was immediately sentenced to death by stoning. Later that same day, she was buried from the waist down in a ditch and stoned, after which doctors allegedly confirmed her as dead. However, at the morgue she reportedly began to breath again and was taken to the hospital. Her condition is said to be improving.

According to media reports, an appeal for amnesty has been submitted to the court. However, Amnesty International is very concerned that this young woman may face execution for a second time after surviving the first attempt.

Background Information

Amnesty International is opposed to the death penalty in all cases as the ultimate violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The organization believes that an incident like this one further illustrates the barbarity of the death penalty and is urging the Iranian government to spare this young woman from suffering this inhumanity a second time.

How you can help

Please send a letter to the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran as soon as possible, but no later than October 2, 1997. You may use the sample letter linked below or use it as a model to write your own letter. If you choose to use the sample letter, please cut off or delete all website information at the very top of the letter. If you prefer to write your own letter, please keep in mind that its intent is to improve the human rights situation in Iran. Make sure the letter is politely worded, non-partisan (i.e., not used as a vehicle for political expression) and written with respect for the recipient. Be sure to include both your name and address, as well as the date, on your letter. Thank you for your help with this appeal.

Questions?

If you have any questions, just post a message to me (Kathy Gay) on the Activism Board, and I will respond as soon as I can. I greatly appreciate your interest and support.

To see the sample letter for this action, please click here.

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Kathy Gay is a vegan, and has been a member of Amnesty International for nearly 10 years, where she has worked on numerous campaigns. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a business analyst for a leading California bank.

Kathy's column, To All Living Things, is a regular feature of VegSource On-Line Magazine.