7 January 2004

Urgent Action

Kobra Rahmanpour must not be executed

The International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) fears that Kobra Rahmanpour is at risk of imminent execution. She was sentenced to death for the premeditated murder of her mother-in-law in 2000, and her husband, the victim's son, has demanded that the death sentence be carried out.

On or around 10 November, Kobra Rahmanpour's husband reportedly presented
documents establishing him as the legitimate representative of his mother's heirs. He is therefore entitled to request that the death sentence be carried out, as 'retribution in-kind' (qisas-e nafs). According to Iran's Penal Code, the decision to inflict retribution (qisas-e nafs) rests with the heirs of the victims. After being confirmed by the Supreme Court, death sentences imposed for murder can only be commuted if the victim's heirs forgo their right to retribution and ask instead for the payment of blood money (diyeh), or if the Head of the Judiciary invokes his power to revoke a finalized verdict if it is
flawed, and refer the case to another court. It is reported that Kobra Rahmanpour's lawyer will ask for clemency from the victim's family.

Kobra Rahmanpour was reportedly arrested on 5 November 2000 after killing her mother-in-law. She allegedly acted in self-defence after her mother-in-law tried to attack her with a kitchen knife. At an unknown date, she was tried by Branch 1608 of Tehran's Criminal Court, where she was sentenced to death. Her lawyer has reportedly complained that the court did not consider, nor conduct any investigation into, her claim that the murder was in self-defence. Her lawyer is believed to have alleged that wounds on Kobra Rahmanpour's right hand had been sustained due to pulling the knife from the hands of her mother-in-law. In January 2003 her death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court. Kobra Rahmanpour has been held in prison, possibly in Tehran, since her arrest three years ago. It is alleged that Kobra Rahmanpour was forced into marriage against her will by her parents, and had been the victim of domestic violence since her marriage.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON EXECUTION IN IRAN

Executions have always been one of the mainstays of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Islamic regime established itself from 20 June 1981 with widespread executions and murders. Since then, and particularly in 1988, the regime has executed 100,000 political opponents, progressives, communists, women, labour activists, people attributed to religious and ethnic minorities, youth and gays and lesbians in what has come to be known as one of the greatest crimes of the 20th Century. During the past two decades, the regime has massacred innumerable human beings to remain in power. There are ample statistics, documents and witnesses to prove this. With escalating protests against the entirety of Islamic rule, the regime has once again stepped up its executions in order to intimidate the protesting public.

Amnesty International has recorded 106 executions so far this year in Iran,
although the true figure may be much higher.

The IFIR is outraged at Kobra Rahmanpour's execution and calls on the international community and public opinion to condemn the Islamic regime of Iran for her execution.

The IFIR against Executions in Iran unequivocally opposes capital punishment and calls for its abolition in all countries. IFIR also calls for:

* International protest against and condemnation of executions in Iran

* Public pressure against the Islamic regime in Iran and its Western government supporters

* save the lives of those under execution sentences

*stop executions in Iran

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:

To the Iranian authorities:

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran:
Mohammad Khatami
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Telegram: Mohammad Khatami, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
E-mail:     khatami@president.ir (please resend your message if it does not get through the first time)
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Foreign Affairs:
Kamal Kharrazi
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Av Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Telegram: Foreign Affairs Minister, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Faxes:      011 98 21 390 1999 (unreliable; please mark "care of the
Human Rights Department, Foreign Ministry)

Please send appeals immediately. Check with the IFIR Urgent Action responsible Farshad Hoseini with Tel: 0031 613940534 or E-mail farshadhoseini@yahoo.com if you need more information.

IFIR is an international non-governmental organization with over42-branches in 16 countries worldwide which advocates promoting and protecting the rights of Iranian refugees and asylum seekers; provides evidentiary support through its Documentation Center; and provides referrals for services.

This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including contact information and stop action date (if applicable).

Thank you for your help with this appeal.

Urgent Action Network
IFIR

Postbus 1312

5602BH Eindhoven, Netherlands

Email farshadhoseini@yahoo.com

http://www.hambastegi.org
Phone: 31 6139 40 534

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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL