Iran Sentences Woman to Death for Adultery Amid Rising International Pressure
Iran has come under increasing scrutiny from the international community for its frequent use of the death penalty, particularly for crimes such as adultery. In the latest case, an Iranian court has sentenced a woman to death for committing adultery, according to state media reports. The woman, who worked as a trainer in a gym for females, was caught by her husband engaging in relations with another man at their home. The husband alerted the police, and surveillance cameras provided evidence of her infidelity. Despite the severity of the sentence, she has the right to appeal under Iranian law.
Adultery is a serious offense in Iran, and in some cases, those convicted may face death by stoning. However, upon appeal, the punishment can be reduced to less severe penalties. Nonetheless, Iran has faced international condemnation for its frequent use of the death penalty. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently expressed alarm at the high rate of executions in Iran. According to his statement, at least 419 people have been executed in Iran in the first seven months of this year, marking a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Guterres called on Iran to immediately cease all executions, abolish the death penalty, and release individuals held without justification. He specifically called attention to the arbitrary detention of women and girls, human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists who have been targeted for exercising their right to freedom of opinion, expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
In 2017, another woman was sentenced to death for adultery in Iran, but her execution has not been reported since then. Adultery is one of several crimes punishable by death in Iran, including sodomy, murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, and drug trafficking. In a shocking case that attracted global attention, Iran executed two gay men in 2022 on charges of sodomy.
Human rights organizations have raised concerns about Iran’s escalating use of capital punishment. Human Rights Watch pointed out that Iranian authorities are employing executions and unfair trials as a means to suppress dissent and intimidate the population. They called on the international community to condemn this trend and urge Iranian officials to cease these executions.
A similar case occurred in Sudan last year, where a woman was sentenced to death by stoning for cheating on her husband. Maryam Alsyed Tiyrab, who had separated from her husband, was arrested and forced to give an illegal confession. She has appealed the stoning decision to Sudan’s High Court.
The frequent use of the death penalty, particularly for offenses such as adultery, raises concerns about human rights in Iran. As international pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether Iran will heed the calls to cease executions, abolish the death penalty, and respect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
