WASHINGTON - May 1 - This morning, Iranian authorities executed Delara Darabi in Rasht Central Prison. She is the second person to be executed this year after being convicted of a crime she was alleged to have committed while still under 18, Amnesty International revealed today. "Amnesty International is outraged at the execution of Delara Darabi, and particularly at the news that her lawyer was not informed about the execution, despite the legal requirement that he should receive 48 hours' notice. This appears to have been a cynical move on the part of the authorities to avoid domestic and international protests which might have saved Delara Darabi's life," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa program.
Delara Darabi was executed despite her having been given a two-month stay of execution by the Head of the Judiciary on April 19. "This indicates that even decisions by the Head of the Judiciary carry no weight and are disregarded in the provinces," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
Delara Darabi was convicted of murdering a relative in 2003 when she was 17. She initially confessed to the murder, believing she could save her boyfriend from the gallows, but later retracted her confession. She was being detained at Rasht Prison in northern Iran since her arrest in 2003, during which time she developed a significant talent as a painter.
Amnesty International does not consider her trial to have been fair, as the courts later refused to consider new evidence which the lawyer said would have proved she could not have committed the murder. Amnesty International had campaigned for her life since her case came to light in 2006, urging the Iranian authorities to commute her death sentence and calling for a her re-trial in proceedings that meet international standards.
8 comments:
Who cares. She's a murderer and just because she was under 18 when she did it means nothing. If we had capital punishment in Canada we'd have less murders too
Anon, I assume you are related to Guy-Paul? But even if we could be sure of the guilt of the accused, I still believe capital punishment demeans the society that uses it. It does not deter crime -- why kill a creature made in the image of G-d just because that creature was so wicked as to kill? And when that creature is still a child? Punish yes, protect society yes, but bring back hanging? I say no! Well, that's not very well written but you get my point... .
General deterrence is in no way achieved...even slightly...by capital punishment. Look to the nations that still practice it!
Given the far from perfect functioning of the best criminal justice systems, capital punishment is inarguably barbaric. Executing child criminals is even worse (bearing in mind it wasn't that long ago - 2 years? - that the US Supreme Court held the execution of retarded children unconsitutional). There is no deterrent effect in it, mere retribution applied inconsistently and often mistakenly.
The Death Penalty is a deterrent.
Common sense dictates that although leftist academics might have a hard time understanding that.
Also, no one has ever been executed that was innocent. Never been proven anyhow.
Ask yourself.
Would you rather kill someone in Canada where you can get a light life sentence and get parole or in the USA where you get DEATH.
The answer is clear.
Anon, the level of your pomposity seems boundless. The death penalty as deterrent has been studied in countries around the world. Nowhere has it been found to deter murder. There is a huge difference between common sense and base instinct which you would be well served to explore. There are many cases of falsely convicted individuals who have been executed. That you don't know of them - as you seem not to know of so many other things - is not surprising.
As for your final argument, two points to note. The majority of US states have abolished capital punishment and several more are moving to do the same. Look it up and revel at the depth of your misconceptions. The other point is that I'd rather not kill anyone in either country although your clear preference is noted.
Now, be gone with your empty, childish arguments. Leave this debate to the grownups.
The case certainly sounds tragic and it does not sound like her trial was at all fair, especially since the new evidence was never heard. I guess we'll never know. Thanks for giving this case some attention.
I just wrote about this on my site:
Death sentences for juveniles, real estate brokers and pigs: just another week in the Middle EastIt's disgraceful that this goes on in the 21st century.
Post a Comment