Iran Sentences Two Women to Death

Facts

• On Mon., official state media reported that Iran sentenced two women to death on charges of “corruption on earth” and human trafficking, sparking widespread condemnation.
• “Corruption on earth” often refers to actions contrary to Islamic morals. Authorities accuse the women, Zahra Sedighi and Elham Chobdar, of exploiting young women. International human rights groups, however, describe the two women as LGBTQ rights activists.
• Iran’s official news agency didn’t refer to the women’s activism, instead reporting that they “misused” women and girls in promising better training and job opportunities abroad — a reference to human trafficking. A court handed down the death sentence, and the women have the right to appeal.
• Amnesty International identified Sedighi earlier this year as an “Iranian gender nonconforming human rights defender,” claiming her incarceration was due to her “sexual orientation and gender identity” as well as posts and statements in defense of LGBTQ rights.
• Another NGO that monitors rights violations in Iran’s western Kurdistan province reported that security forces had detained Chobdar for “promoting homosexuality.”
• Homosexuality is illegal in Iran. Earlier this year, Tehran reportedly executed two gay men.

Sources: Today Online, Newsbud, Times of India, ABC, and Reuters.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Daily Mail. Yet again the Islamic Republic has shown that it’s one of the worst places in the world for human rights. Members of the LGBTQ community, religious minorities, and women are all targets of the regime. Neither the Islamic Republic’s behavior nor its regime should be normalized by Western governments.
• Establishment-critical narrative as provided by Tasnim. Iran’s ability to conduct law enforcement and security operations must be viewed within the context of external agitation and propaganda from Western powers. Western nations often exploit subversive or illegal activity under so-called “human rights.” Tehran’s law enforcement and judicial processes should be given the benefit of the doubt, and the West must stop meddling in its internal affairs.