To: All Women and Human Rights Organisations

Kobra Rahmanpoor’s case is returned back to Ayatollah Shahrudi the head of Iran’s Judiciary for decision after the family members of her mother in-law did not pardon her. Kobra was sentenced to death for the murder of her mother-in-law in 2000. She acted in self-defence after her mother-in-law tried to attack her with a kitchen knife. Kobra was 20 years old when she married a 63 years old man. Kobra was forced into marriage against her will by her parents, and had been subjected to unbearable level of domestic violence since her marriage. She is currently held in a prison in Tehran. If Kobra is still alive it is only because of the international pressure and domestic support for her case.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has the unenviable reputation for the high number of death sentences including execution by firing squad, hanging and stoning to death. The victims have indiscriminatingly been women, men and children. These indiscriminate killings are all well documented by independent international institutions including the Amnesty International. The Amnesty International has confirmed the fact that Iran is a country with the highest rate of death penalty. Many of the death sentences have been handed out under the Islamic Sharia Law without proper consideration for the circumstances under which these alleged crimes were committed. Some of the victims are helpless women who have acted in self-defence and committed the alleged crimes under extreme pressure.

We urge you to take immediate actions to save the life of a young woman and stop this tragic death and this barbaric action to take place. Please send your appeals to: 

Head of the Judiciary
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Ministry of Justice, Park-e Shahr, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email:         Please send emails via the feedback form on the Persian site of the website: http://www.iranjudiciary.org/contactus-feedback-fa.htm


Organisation for Emancipation of Women
www.rahai-zan.org