Reports on the sentencing of more than 30 students to 99 prompted Bärbel Kofler, Federal Government Human Rights Commissioner at the Federal Foreign Office, to issue the following statement today.
I am appalled by reports that more than 30 students were flogged in Iran at the weekend. Sentencing students celebrating peacefully to 99 lashes each is not just disproportionate but also cruel and inhumane. Given how quickly the court case was completed, there are considerable doubts that the principles of the rule of law were upheld. Corporal punishment is an anachronism in the 21st century. Background information:
After together celebrating their graduation, it is reported that more than 30 sentenced to 99 lashes each in the northern Iranian town of Qazvin. They were arrested sentenced within 24 hours. According to Iranian media, the “morality police” executed the sentenced immediately as a lesson to those who attempt to breach convention. They were sentenced because of their “indecent behavior”. It is reported that the students were “half naked” and had consumed alcohol. In Iran, men and women are not allowed to dance together. Alcohol is forbidden for Muslims.