Iran’s Defenders of Human Rights Center released a statement on July 19 protesting a bill seeking to toughen punishment for crimes deemed to "disrupt public security" and to "intensify the scheme of punishment for disrupting the mental security of society."
The Majlis is set to ratify the bill, after ratifying the first step on July 2.
According to the statement, "the bill not only increases the number of crimes punishable by death, but also endangers the security of citizens if it is passed, given its deficiencies." The center criticized the bill for defining "malicious" acts as deserving of death, and noted that that another section of the bill establishes that "weblogs and sites promoting corruption and apostasy are deserving of capital punishment in the same way that crimes such as rape and armed robbery are."
Source: Rooz, Iran, July 21, 2008
Death as "punishment for disrupting the mental security of society"? Mental security? That must be a pretty damn fragil mental society they are trying to protect. Isn't it really just another way to clampdown on an increasingly restless population? Tensions in Iran continue to grow:
Power Outage, Shortages, Fuel Crises Disrupt Life In Iran
The London daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi reports that severe disruptions in the supply of gasoline and water and in supplies of agricultural produce in Iran are being caused by severe drought that is harming agricultural yields and slowing operation of water turbines.
In addition, the sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program are making it difficult to obtain parts for the turbines, further disrupting their operation.
Mas'oud, an Iranian retiree, said that because of the power outages, he must stand in line for hours at the bank in order to receive his pension payment.
Source: Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, July 25, 2008
Domestic problems in the country continue to multiply, while Iran spends it's money on propaganda and terrorist support beyond it's borders:
Egypt Shuts Down Iranian Television Station In Cairo
Egyptian police closed the Iranian Arabic-language Al-'Alam television station and confiscated its equipment, claiming that the station had no permit to broadcast in Egypt.
The closure came at a time of tension between Cairo and Tehran due to the release in Iran of the Iranian film "Assassination of a Pharaoh" praising the assassination of Egyptian president Anwar Al-Sadat.
According to Al-'Alam's website, the Egyptian police claimed that the station was a partner in producing the film.
Source: Al-Zaman, Iraq, July 24, 2008
Iran is doing many things on many fronts to create instability throughout the Middle East. By removing Saddam Hussein from Iraq, we eliminated Iran's largest enemy in the region. Only half the problem has been delt with, and we dare not leave it like this now, even the Europeans understand the danger. Whether they will do anything to stop help stop it remains to be seen.
Related Links:
Is it time for regime change in Iran yet?
Hangings in Iran increase, to silence dissent
Iran's pressing needs and Iraq's vulnerability.
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