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Biden Fails a Death Penalty Abolitionist’s Most Important Test

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The mystery of Joe Biden’s views about capital punishment has finally been solved. His decision to grant clemency to 37 of the 40 people on federal death row shows the depth of his opposition to the death penalty. And his decision to leave three of America’s most notorious killers to be executed by a future administration shows the limits of his abolitionist commitment. The three men excluded from Biden’s mass clemency—Dylann Roof, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Robert Bowers—would no doubt pose a severe test of anyone’s resolve to end the death penalty. Biden failed that test.
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Iran: Two hanged in Karaj

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Iran Human Rights, May 30: Two men were hanged in Rajai Shahr Prison of Karaj (west of Tehran).

According to the Iranian daily newspaper "Javan" two prisoners were hanged in the Rajai Shahr Prison last Wednesday.

One of the prisoners was identified as "Alireza" convicted of pouring acid on the face of his stepfather in 2005.

The stepfather died a few days later as a result of the injuries. The report didn’t mention Alireza’s age at the time of committing the alleged offence.

The other prisoner, an Afghan citizen identified as "Mohammad", was convicted of murdering an old couple and stealing their jewelry, said the report.

Source: Iran Human Rights, May 30, 2013
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