Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Your Excellency:

I am writing to urge your government to spare the life of Zoleykhah Kadkhoda.

On 11 August 1997 this 20-year-old woman was 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 until she was confirmed dead. However, at the morgue she reportedly began to breath again and was taken to the hospital. Her condition is said to be improving.

I am very concerned that Zoleykhah Kadkhoda may face execution again once she has recovered from the injuries she sustained during the first attempt. I understand that an appeal for amnesty has been submitted to the court on her behalf, and I urge your government to uphold this appeal.

Although I am unconditionally opposed to the death penalty in all cases, I am particularly distressed by the way it was carried out against Zoleykhah Kadkhoda. Please note that Paragraph 9 of the United Nations safeguards guaranteeing protection of the right of those facing the death penalty states that "where capital punishment occurs, it shall be carried out so as to inflict the minimum possible suffering." And Safeguard 1 of the UN Economic and Social Research Council (1984/50) states that, in countries which have not abolished the death penalty, "capital punishment may only be imposed for the most serious crimes, it being understood that their scope should not go beyond intentional crimes with lethal or extremely grave consequences."

I believe that Zoleykhah Kadkhoda has suffered enough already and should not have to face such a barbaric execution for a second time. I most respectfully request that your government commute the death sentence against her.

Respectfully yours,