August, 12 2010, 10:44am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
AIUSA media office,Email:,media@aiusa.org,Phone: 202-544-0200 x302
Amnesty International Criticizes the TV 'Confession' of Woman in the Iran Stoning Case
Amnesty International
criticized the TV "confession" of an Iranian woman last night, in which
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, awaiting execution by stoning for adultery,
appears to implicate herself in the murder of her husband.
The interview was broadcast on Wednesday,
August 11, on the '20:30' program by Seda va Sima, the Islamic Republic
of Iran Broadcasting.
WASHINGTON
Amnesty International
criticized the TV "confession" of an Iranian woman last night, in which
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, awaiting execution by stoning for adultery,
appears to implicate herself in the murder of her husband.
The interview was broadcast on Wednesday,
August 11, on the '20:30' program by Seda va Sima, the Islamic Republic
of Iran Broadcasting.
Televised "confessions" have repeatedly
been used by the authorities to incriminate individuals in custody. Many
have later retracted these "confessions," stating that they were
coerced to make them, sometimes under torture or other ill-treatment.
"This so-called confession forms part of
growing catalogue of other forced confessions and self-incriminating statements
made by many detainees in the past year," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui,
deputy director at Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa
program.
"Statements made in such televised exchanges
should have no bearing on Iran's legal system, or the call to review her
case. This latest video shows nothing more than the lack of evidence
against Sakineh Ashtiani,"
said Sahraoui.
Amnesty International understands that last
week, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's lawyer, Javid Houtan Kiyan, submitted
a 35-page request for a judicial review of her case. A response is expected
on or around August 15.
"It appears that Iran's authorities have
orchestrated this 'confession', following the call for a judicial review
and now appear to be inventing new charges of murdering her husband,"
said Sahraoui.
Unconfirmed reports that Sakineh Mohammadi
Ashtiani has recently been tortured or ill-treated while in Tabriz Central
Prison, underscores Amnesty International's concern.
"Having Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani broadcast
in this manner calls into question the independence of the judiciary, at
least vis-a-vis the state broadcaster, and its ability to adhere to Iran's
own laws. If the judiciary in Iran is to be taken seriously, this 'confession'
needs to be disregarded and assurances given that it will not affect the
review of her case" said Sahraoui.
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning
grassroots activist organization with more than 2.8 million supporters,
activists and volunteers who campaign for universal human rights from more
than 150 countries. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates
and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice,
freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
Amnesty International is a global movement of millions of people demanding human rights for all people - no matter who they are or where they are. We are the world's largest grassroots human rights organization.
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