FRIDAY, 31 AUGUST 2012
Although the current Islamic penal code does not define apostasy as a crime, the judges are allowed to convict those charged with "apostasy", according to Islamic Sharia law and Fatwas of Islamic clerics.
Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News – An international human rights advocacy organization criticized the new Islamic penal code saying it does not meet universal Human Rights standards.
According to the BBC, the Human Rights watchdog organization said the new Islamic penal code in Iran contradicts universal Human Rights standards. Also, some amendments made to the new Islamic penal code further violate the rights of convicts and defendants by allowing judges to issue verdicts that violate their rights.
This is occurring while Iranian legislators and judicial authorities have described the amendment of the Islamic penal code as a serious attempt to meet Iran's international commitments regarding Human Rights!
- Stoning, apostasy and security crimes
The statement issued by this Human Rights advocacy organization describes the amendments in the Islamic penal code as just a modified version of Sharia law.
The new Islamic penal code does not ban stoning, whipping and amputation, while international standards consider such punishments to be brutal, torture and humiliating and so rejects them. The Islamic penal codes also reflect a discriminatory attitude towards women and religious minorities.
The statement adds, "Meanwhile, the new Islamic penal code in Iran determines specific punishment for crimes like "dishonoring the prophet of Islam".
In addition, the new Islamic penal code permits judges to refer to "Sharia law and Fatwas" and sentence defendants to death accordingly. Therefore, although the new legislation does not say anything about apostasy and stoning, it allows judges to act beyond the law and issue such verdicts.
An increasing wave of aversion to Islam is being created in Iran and more people are leaving Islam and converting to Christianity, Baha'ism or Zoroastrianism. The new Islamic penal code could targets this group of Iranians.
Also, Mohammad Mostafaei, an attorney and Human Rights activist told AFP, "according to Article 287 of the new legislation, anyone who commits a security crime (a crime against national or international security) or spreads lies or disrupts the financial system will be considered someone who is "spreading corruption on earth" and so is punishable by death. This article did not exist in the former legislation".
Regarding this new Islamic penal code, the Vice-president of the Human Rights Watchdog in the Middle-East said, "The amendments do not help Iran's poor record in establishing justice in any way."
The legislation was passed in March by Iran's Islamic parliament. After it received the Council of Guardians' approval, it was sent to the President to be signed. However, the Vice-president of the Ministry of Justice announced last week that the Council of Guardians had asked that the legislation be returned from the President to make some modifications to it.
The Human Rights Watchdog group warned against this matter and said the new Islamic penal code might be approved and put into practice soon.
It should be remembered that the current Islamic penal code has been in its trial phase since 1991.
The Islamic penal code was first passed by the Islamic parliament of Iran in 1982. Later the "nemesis law" was added to this set of laws. The Islamic penal code should be approved by the Islamic parliament every five years.
Mohabat news
