In a defiant move, Iran executed a woman on Wednesday who had been found guilty of killing her husband, a man she had been forced to marry as a child.
Despite a global plea for mercy, human rights organizations report that the execution took place, as per The Independent.
Child Bride Executed in Iran
Samira Sabzian, a prisoner who had spent the last ten years behind bars, was reportedly executed at dawn in Ghezel Hesar prison. The execution took place in the Tehran satellite city of Karaj, according to the Iran Human Rights (IHR) group, which is based in Norway.
As concern continues to mount over the rising number of executions in Iran this year, another execution has taken place. The latest execution adds to the growing tally of individuals who have been put to death in the country, with the majority facing charges related to murder and drug offenses.
Shockingly, this includes a significant number of women, totaling more than a dozen. According to relatives, Sabzian, as reported by IHR, was a child bride who entered into marriage at the age of 15. Tragically, she has also been a victim of domestic violence.
The execution of the woman, who is now believed to be in her late 20s or early 30s, has been confirmed by the Hengaw rights group. According to the group, she was originally from the city of Khorramabad in the western Lorestan province.
Amnesty International expressed deep concern over the accounts of a "chilling execution," highlighting that the victim, a mother of two, had experienced a coerced and premature marriage during her childhood.
The execution of Sabzian has raised concerns at the office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. They expressed alarm over the incident, highlighting the fact that Sabzian was compelled to marry her husband when she was just 15 years old.
In a statement, it was emphasized once more that Iran is being urged to implement a moratorium on all executions, with the ultimate goal of completely abolishing the death penalty. As of now, media within Iran has not reported on the execution.
According to the International Human Rights organization (IHR), Sabzian, who was 19 years old at the time, was arrested approximately ten years ago. According to the International Human Rights organization (IHR), she recently had a final meeting in prison earlier this month with her two children, whom she had not seen since her arrest.
Mahmood-Amiry Moghaddam, the director of the IHR, said Samira has endured years of gender apartheid, child marriage, and domestic violence. Tragically, today she became a victim of the alleged incompetence and corruption within the regime's killing machine.
Amnesty International reports that rights groups are expressing concern over a significant increase in executions within Iran this year. In the month of November alone, at least 115 individuals were executed, prompting alarm among various organizations.
Iran Execution of Women
Amnesty has called on the international community to urgently urge Iran's authorities to establish an official moratorium on executions without delay. In a plea made by the British government, Iran has been urged to spare the life of Sabzian.
A total of 18 women have been executed in Iran so far this year. Among the victims is Samira Sabzian. Iran's Sharia-based murder laws have been criticized by rights groups for their failure to consider potential mitigating factors, such as abuse or domestic violence, in these cases.
Iran has carried out the execution of eight individuals in connection with the protests that took place in September 2022. However, various rights groups have raised concerns, asserting that the notable increase in hangings across all charges is intended to instill fear within the broader population.
Based on the latest report from the International Human Rights organization (IHR), Iran carried out the execution of 582 individuals in the year 2022. However, it is anticipated that the total number of executions for the current year will surpass this figure by a significant margin. Mail Online reported.
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