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Stoning of women marks Ahmadinejad’s first year in the office

Jila Kazerounian - 11/18/2006

Misogyny is the pillar of the ideology Ahmadinejad defends and represents. Beyond inhumane punishments such as stoning, limitations on the lives of women are enforced by the constitution. Violence against women is seen in various courts and legal bodies that prohibit women from attaining private and public rights. Private rights such as clothing, divorce, custody, inheritance, abortion and mobility are a matter of legal battles for women in Iran. Public and political rights such as presidency, leadership, judgeship and various educational fields are at the core of women’s war on fundamentalism.

In May 2006, Zohreh Tabibzadeh-Nouri, advisor to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was appointed head of the Iranian Center for Women and Family Affairs. Upon taking office, she declared her philosophy, saying: "I do not deny that there are gaps in the [Iranian] law when it comes to protection of women's rights... [However,] as long as I live and remain in charge of this center, I will not let anyone sign international charters [or] declarations of international conferences on women's rights, since we can [fix] the gaps and existing problems through the Islamic faith. I see no reason to follow the unsuccessful Western model."1

Inhumane practice of stoning is not among the gaps that Mrs. Tabibzadeh-Nouri, Ahmadinejad’s advisor, plans to fix. Iran is the only country in the world that practices stoning to execute those who commit adultery. The misogynous practice is outlined in Iran’s civil code and practiced in public as a method of intimidation and enforcement of moral “Islamic” value. Article 102 of the Penal code, states that married offenders (adulterers) are liable to stoning regardless of their gender, but the method laid down for a man stipulates he be buried up to his waist, and a woman up to her neck. Article 114 of Iran’s civil codes states, “When rajm [stoning] is being administered on a man he must be placed in a pit almost down to his waist, and when administered on a woman she must be placed in a pit almost down to her chest.”2

There has been a sharp rise in condemning men and women to stoning since Ahmadinejad came to office. While there are 11 people facing stoning in Iran, nine are women. According to Amnesty International, “The sentence of execution by stoning for adultery breaches Iran's commitment under article 6(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that death sentences will be imposed only for the most serious crimes."

In a recent letter written in the prison by the 22 year old Kobra Rahmanpur, under the sentence of stoning, states:” I want to live! I am a human being just like you. I do not want to die. However I am now a soulless body in fear of the execution who has forgotten how to laugh and be happy. A lot of people say to me how come your case has been so much publicized but you are still in prison? I have to tell them that I am only steps away from execution. I too like all of you am afraid of dying. Please help me so that this would not be my last letter.”

Kobra’s letter is a reminder to the world community that although international pressure may have postponed the stoning, the death verdict may be carried out at anytime.

While deterioration of an already dismal status of women in Iran marks Ahmadinejad’s inhumane policies at home, the world community now realizes the danger of Islamic Fundamentalism that has taken Iraq as hostage. Rhetoric coming from Tehran is not just words; it is in line with sweeping domestic and foreign policy agenda presented by Ahmadinejad. As Iranian women declared in their 2006 protest, “the world community must be conscious of Iran’s war agenda in the region”. Full recognition of public, private and political rights is at the core of women’s war with Tehran’s regime. Echoing their demands in several 2006 rallies, Iranian women emphasize that “democracy will not be possible unless full rights of women are recognized”. The same holds true for Iraq.

No one except Ahmadinejad’s regime benefits from instability and conflict in Iraq. Tehran is notorious to distract the attention from ongoing atrocities at home by exporting and fomenting conflicts in Iraq and elsewhere. The time to look for viable indigenous solution to the growing Tehran-problem both in Iran and Iraq is now. Empowering Iranian opposition group who have ties with Iraqi people should be the first step to deal with Ahmadinejad and his expansionist misogynous regime.