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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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South Dakota lawmakers reject bill to repeal death penalty

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A South Dakota legislative panel has decided the state should keep the death penalty.

After hearing from relatives of 2 murder victims, the House State Affairs Committee voted 7-6 to reject a measure that would have repealed the death penalty.

The measure would have banned the death penalty in future criminal cases, but it sought to leave in place the death sentences of 3 convicted murderers currently on South Dakota's death row. Opponents say the bill's language might have allowed those 3 convicts to avoid being executed.

Supporters of the death penalty argued it is an appropriate penalty for the most vile crimes and deters others from committing murder.

Opponents of the death penalty contend it does not deter others from committing horrible crimes, save money or improve public safety.

Source: Associated Press, Feb. 22, 2014
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