In a contentious move, Iranian authorities are preparing to carry out amputation sentences for three prisoners convicted of robbery, prompting significant concern from international human rights organizations. The individuals, Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Sharifian, and Mehdi Shahivand, face the loss of four fingers on their right hands. Amnesty International has stated that these actions constitute torture and infringe upon international law, especially given the denial of legal representation.
The convictions of these men, from 2019, are reportedly based on confessions elicited through violence and coercion. Reports have surfaced detailing severe abuse, including beatings and threats of sexual violence, to extract these confessions. Despite these allegations of mistreatment, which were raised in court, Iranian judicial bodies, including the Supreme Court, have not pursued any independent investigations.
In a letter to human rights organizations, Hadi Rostami described the ordeal, asserting his innocence of the charges and detailing how torture was used to pressure him into signing blank papers. Despite this, the Iranian judicial system, guided by its Islamic Penal Code, appears resolute in proceeding with what Amnesty International has deemed a “spectacle of brutality.”
This scheduled punishment follows a similar incident last year, reflecting a persistent use of corporal punishment which conflicts with Iran’s commitments under various international treaties. Critics contend that such practices not only inflict lasting physical harm but also marginalize economically disadvantaged communities, exacerbating poverty and discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
Amnesty International has called for international intervention to prevent the scheduled amputations and to urge Iran to align its practices with global human rights standards. As the date of execution for these sentences approaches, the international community watches closely, grappling with how to address these profound human rights concerns.