Amnesty International: Hand Amputation of Criminals in Iran Constitutes ‘Torture’
Amnesty International, referring to the amputation of a criminal’s hand in Iran, characterized it as a cruel punishment and an instance of torture.
On Thursday, the Public Relations Office of Mazandaran Province’s Judiciary announced that the punishment of “hadd for theft” had been carried out on a “professional thief” in the province.
While new reports of astronomical embezzlements and extensive cases of financial corruption by officials of the Islamic Republic regime and their affiliates are published every week, the Public Relations Office of Mazandaran Province’s Judiciary announced on Thursday the implementation of “hadd for theft,” namely hand amputation, for a “professional thief” in the province.
In a statement released by Amnesty International following this announcement, it stated: “The authorities of the Islamic Republic have committed torture by carrying out this cruel punishment. [Torture] is considered a crime under international law.”
The statement quoted the Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International as saying: “Iran, as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in accordance with other international laws, is obligated to prohibit torture under any circumstances and without exception.”
The human rights organization further stated in its statement that Iran’s parliament should immediately take action to amend the law to eliminate all inhuman corporal punishments from Iran’s judicial system.
Amnesty International added in its statement: “Amputation of a human body part is not a punishment; [rather] it is a horrible violation of human dignity.”
This human rights organization had previously repeatedly protested the implementation of cruel sentences for criminals in Iran.
In the latest report by António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, concerns were also raised about the continuation of torture and inhumane punishments in Iran.
The existence of mismanagement and widespread corruption in various branches and components of Iran’s governmental structure has repeatedly been the subject of severe criticism by U.S. government officials and lawmakers. The United States has repeatedly condemned institutionalized corruption and mismanagement, particularly excessive spending and exclusive privileges for individuals close to circles of power, violation of citizens’ rights, suppression of the people’s legitimate demands, plundering of Iran’s natural resources, and the ambitious regional and global warmongering of the leaders of the regime ruling Iran, and has considered them among the main factors in the social, livelihood, welfare, economic, and financial problems of the Iranian people.
The U.S. State Department has also repeatedly condemned the violent dealings of the Islamic Republic regime with the Iranian people under various pretexts, including under the pretext of combating social corruption, as well as the repeated and continuous violation of the rights of Iranian citizens by regime agents.
Source: Voice of America
