Nazanin Fatehi went through her re-trial today in Iran. In her first trial she was sentenced to death by hanging for the death of a man she had stabbed when he and two other men attempted to rape her and her niece. She was granted a second trial because international attention was brought to the case through the efforts of a former Miss Canada, Nazanin Afshin-Jam.
Unfortunately, the plight of Nazanin Fatehi is not uncommon in Ahmadinejad’s Iran. The role of women has not only be devalued, but their plight in Iran is horrific. They are not allowed to be raped and they are not allowed to defend themselves when they are raped. Either way, they are condemned to death. When they are hanged, they are left hanging as an example to other women. They are executed for ‘crimes against chastity’.
The value of a woman’s life in Iran is half that of a man’s in terms of blood money, and her testimony in court is also worth half that of a man. [source]
Seventeen-year-old Nazanin Fatehi and her 16-year-old neice had met their boyfriends to ride motorcycles. They were sitting in a park when three men approached them and began to be aggressive towards the girls. The two boyfriends fled the scene, leaving the two girls to fend for themselves. When the men tore off Nazanin’s head scarf and dress she started stabbing them. When she got free of the men, she grabbed her niece and fled.
She was charged with and convicted of murder and sentenced to death by public hanging. In her re-trial today the judges determined that the previous finding of the court was in error and therefore that the death of the would-be rapist was not intentional. This is wonderful news. But the disposition of the case is still not determined and Nazanin Fatehi remains in prison. No one seems to know how the judges will decide her fate for what they have determined was not an intentional killing.
Many girls in similar situations in Iran have been publicly hanged. The difference in this case seems to be the international attention and pressure on the Iranian government.
For more information on Nazanin:
The Tale of Two Nazains
Save Nazanin
Help Nazanin
Senator Sam Brownback calls for the U.S. and the U.N. to address the plight of women in Iran.
Online Petition
Nazanin Fatehi leaves a message for her mother
January 10th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
A Muslim For President?…
Are Americans ready for a Muslim President? Have you given that possibility any real thought? We now have Rep. Keith Ellison, a freshman Minnesota Democrat, and the first Muslim in congress. I have no idea if he has presidential ambitions,…
January 10th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Did this woman recently have a baby? Or am I thinking about another woman being abused by the Muslim faith? No, I’m thinking about a Muslim woman who wrote a book and was being tried because it was offensive to Islam. Sorry, I can’t remember her name or the result of the trial. But she was in exile somewhere.
I wonder why our women’s lib groups are not speaking about on situations like this? Because it doesn’t fit their agenda?
January 10th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Do YOU Want to Succeed in Iraq?…
It is a simple question, a yes or no answer is all that is required.
Do. You. Want. To. Succeed. In. Iraq? Yes or No?
Let us see how many are capable of a yes or no answer….
January 10th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Amazing that this poor woman’s possible future hanging receives little or no press attention. At the same time the liberals whine about a tyrant and madman being hung. Where’s the NOW gang & CodePink?
January 11th, 2007 at 1:09 am
Iran is a nasty place to be if you are not part of the structure of power.
January 11th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Unspeakable…
And where are all the women’s rights groups?
January 19th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Nazanin Afshin Jam is on it and because of her status she can do a lot. She not only can, but she is doing it.
Because of this strong woman, media is covering this story and a lot of people now jump on it.
Nazanin Fatehi is saved form death by hanging because of this media coverage, but now she needs to get free also.
It is unbelievable that these things can exist and I am very proud of Nazanin and what she already has accomplished.
It also is a good thing that I see a lot of people react on this. It tells me that there is still hope for this world and that things can change. Although there is a lot of work to do, I believe it can be done.
It is believe that let Gandhi to his victory. It is the believe that it is possible that makes it possible.
Woman like Nazanin Afshin Jam show that what a lot of people have forgotten; that one person can make a difference.
My heart goes with you both, Nazanin and Nazanin Fatehi.
February 13th, 2007 at 1:02 am
ohh crab.. that’s just normal in a muslim countries!!! The fact.. Muslimen except from european and american countries are thinking they can do whatever they want to!!! Hey guys just grow up..
February 13th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Unspeakable…
And where are all the women’s rights groups?
I can answer to your question!!! They have already been killed by REAL BELIEVERS. . LOL I am so happy that this girl didn’t have to die!!!
April 2nd, 2007 at 3:17 pm
ba kodom e.mail adress mitonam ba nazanin afshin jam contact dashte basham??