Iran: Stop the Execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a mother of two, was sentenced to death by an Iranian court for having an "illicit relationship" with two men. However, human rights lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei said that her confession was coerced as Ashtiani only confessed after suffering 99 lashes.
Although Ashtiani has since retracted her confession, Iran's supreme court upheld the conviction in 2007. She was convicted on the basis of the "knowledge of the judge", a provision in Iranian law that allows judges to make their own determination regarding guilt even in the absence of clear or conclusive evidence.
Urge Iranian President Ahmadinejad to halt Ashtiani's imminent execution and to commute her death sentence immediately.
Your Excellency Dr. Ahmadinejad,
I am writing to you to express my deep concern about the impending execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a mother of two, was convicted of adultery despite the lack of any corroborating evidence against her and sentenced to death. She retracted the confession she said she made under duress.
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I urge you to halt Ashtiani's imminent execution and commute her death sentence. Furthermore, she was convicted after unfair legal proceedings. I therefore strongly urge that she receive a trial that meets internationally accepted standards for judicial proceedings.
Thank you very much for your attention.
