AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: IRAN'S STONING A CRUEL AND UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE

as nine women and two men in Iran wait to be stoned to death, Amnesty International called on the Iranian authorities to abolish execution by stoning and impose an immediate moratorium on this horrific practice, specifically designed to increase the suffering of the victims. The organization called on the authorities to ensure total adherence to a moratorium on stoning issued by the Head of the Judiciary in 2002. "We welcome the recent advances toward reforms by Iranian authorities and upcoming discussions on an amended Penal Code that would suspend at least some stoning sentences," said Larry Cox, Amnesty International USA executive director. "However, the government must ensure that the new Penal Code does not allow stoning to death or other means of execution for adultery." The majority of those sentenced to death by stoning are women. Human rights defenders in Iran believe that international publicity and pressure, in support of local efforts, can help bring about change in the country.