Attorney General Expresses Regret Over Non-Implementation of Certain Sharia Punishments for Human Rights Compliance

On Wednesday, January 16, Iran's Attorney General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri expressed regret that the Islamic Republic has refrained from implementing 'some divine limits' to avoid condemnation over human rights in international forums. He made this statement during a conference of deputy heads and chiefs of police departments combating theft across Iran. The Iranian judiciary has previously condemned criminals to amputation for theft and executed these sentences in public, a practice that has faced years of criticism. However, there has been a noticeable decrease in the execution of amputation and stoning sentences, as well as a reduction in death sentences, particularly for drug traffickers. Officials of the Islamic Republic have repeatedly stated that they will not succumb to 'human rights pressures' from the West and will enforce Islamic judicial and penal laws. Nonetheless, Montazeri's remarks indicate that these so-called global pressures have been impactful, leading to a reduction in harsh punishments in the country. He stated that according to the Quran, 'God, the Merciful and Compassionate, has firmly stated that every man and woman who commits theft, if they meet the conditions outlined in jurisprudence, must have their hands cut off.' However, he acknowledged one of the Islamic Republic's 'mistakes' as 'fear of human rights propaganda' and added that they are told 'you treat thieves violently.' He further noted, 'Unfortunately, to avoid condemnation over human rights issues at the United Nations, we refrain from implementing some divine limits.' Ayoub Soleimani, deputy commander of the police, also announced on the same day that there are 200,000 professional thieves across Iran, who, according to him, commit '60 to 65 percent of thefts.' According to the Attorney General, if divine limits were to be applied to these 200,000 thieves, many of them would have their hands cut off. Montazeri expressed regret over the halt in the implementation of hand-cutting while stating that after drug-related crimes, theft ranks second in Iran, and 'the current economic conditions of society,' 'factory closures,' and 'unemployment' directly contribute to its increase. However, no comprehensive research has been conducted in Iran to show that the implementation of Sharia limits such as stoning and amputation deters individuals from committing such crimes. Montazeri noted an increase in theft in Iran in the first nine months of the current year compared to the same period last year, stating, 'People are not innocent; those under economic pressure and in poverty may very well be religious and have faith.' The Attorney General added, 'When the pressure increases and they cannot meet their essential needs, this diminishes their religious fervor and beliefs, leading them towards theft and encroachment on people's property to meet their needs.' According to Islamic Penal Code, actions such as sexual relations between unmarried men and women (fornication), sexual relations between two men (sodomy), apostasy, drinking alcohol, theft, and highway robbery are considered crimes subject to Sharia limits. Punishments such as amputation, blinding criminals, or flogging, recognized in Islamic Penal Code, have always faced severe criticism from international organizations and human rights activists. The Convention Against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, prohibits 'the use of inhumane punishments' such as amputation.