Progressive is a word that has been at the forefront of society since the early 2000s. Most of society has become extremely accepting and understanding of people who have faced oppression, such as homosexuals, transexuals, as well as people who live in between gender norms. However, not all societies wanted to grow through acceptance and understanding. Earlier this week, Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi were hanged in a Maragheh prison. Their deaths followed their six years on death row after they were charged with ‘forced sexual intercourse between two men’ charges.
Iran is known for its traditional and occasionally small-minded views of how society should be run. In Iran, it is illegal to be a homosexual, amongst other things. Under Iranian law, sodomy, rape, adultery, armed robbery, and murder are among crimes that can lead to the death penalty. Iran is labeled as one of the most oppressive places in the world for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Last October, the UN’s independent investigator on human rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman, told the UN General Assembly’s human rights committee that Iran continues to implement the death penalty, “at an alarming rate.” This statement leads one to wonder how no progress has been made in the four months that have passed. However, as outrage reaches across the world, world leaders are starting to get looked at as possible enforcers of human rights to those who don’t respect them. Much like what is currently going on with China’s Xingjiang Provence and the alleged human rights violations.
LGBTQ+ rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell told The Jerusalem Post “The international community must impose Magnitsky sanctions on the regime officials, judges and prison staff who authorized these executions – and on those responsible for the many other human rights cases of abuse in Iran’.”
Many witnesses who have gone through the prisons claim many of those jailed have committed no wrongdoing. Progress and growth will soon follow the outrage of many as they continue to learn about the inhumane actions taken by Iran.
