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Women Being Sent to the Gallows in Alarming Numbers in Iran

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Many Were Child Brides Hanged for Murder of Abusive Husbands From Whom There Was No Protection  December 18, 2024 — Amidst a huge surge in executions in the Islamic Republic— 862 so far in 2024, the highest per capita execution rate globally—the Iranian authorities are now increasingly including women in those it sends to the gallows. Since the start of 2024, Iran has executed at least 29 women. More executions of women may have taken place that are unknown.
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Ministers seek clemency for Canadian facing death penalty in Iran

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Canadian officials issued an urgent appeal to the Iranian government Sunday, fearing an Iran-born Canadian sentenced to death could be executed “imminently.”

In a joint statement, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy said Canada was “gravely concerned” Hamid Ghassemi-Shall’s execution “may be carried out imminently.”

Ghassemi-Shall went to Iran in 2008 to visit his ailing mother but was jailed and sentenced to death for alleged crimes against the Iranian state.

“Canada urgently appeals to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to grant clemency to Mr. Ghassemi-Shall on compassionate and humanitarian grounds,” their statement said.

Amnesty International says the dual national was sentenced to death in 2008 on espionage-related charges.

“We urge Iran to reverse its current course and to adhere to its international human rights obligations,” the ministers added.

Source: The Vancouver Sun, April 15, 2012

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