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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 | Narges Mohammadi Condemns Death Sentence of Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi

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Narges Mohammadi, the imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has condemned the death sentence of protest rapper Toomaj Salehi.

"Toomaj's death sentence signifies the death of our vibrant movement. Let us rally for the survival of the movement that defines our existence," she said in a message from Evin prison (pictured).

Mohammadi's statement, posted on her official Instagram page, adds: "The resilient, united hands of the Iranians will not permit the raising of Toomaj Salehi's gallows. Dismantle the death sentence and the noose before they are torn apart by the outcry of the Iranian people."

From her confines in Evin prison, this prominent dissident further asserted: "Toomaj Salehi epitomizes the resounding voice of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and its anthem."

"His execution would signify the death of our vibrant movement. Let us unite in defence of our movement, which is our essence. Let us all rise together. Our defiance is against Toomaj's execution; our defiance is for breaking chains, for life, for freedom," she said.

Mohammadi condemned the "vengeful, cowardly, and barbaric executions" as a "blight upon the dark and putrid robe of the authoritarian religious government," and implored, "Let us not allow the blood of another young soul to stain the purity of our homeland. We have the power to prevent it. We can."

A Revolutionary Court in central Isfahan sentenced Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi to death on Wednesday.

Salehi was initially arrested in October 2022 after voicing support for the nationwide Woman, Life, Freedom protests that had erupted the previous month.

He released songs criticizing the government and supporting the protests demanding more freedoms and women's rights.

He also posted pictures and videos of himself during the demonstrations.

In July 2023, a court sentenced the artist to six years and three months in prison for "corruption on Earth."

He was released on bail on November 18 after the Supreme Court, responding to an appeal, found "flaws in the original sentence" and returned the case to a lower court for reexamination and possible retrial.

Salehi was returned to jail less than two weeks later to face new charges after publicly discussing his torture in prison in a video.

Source: Iran Wire, Staff, April 25, 2024

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde



Location: Iran
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