19 March 2014
Article from NY Times found here
Due to the impact of social media and a growing distaste in Iran's middle class for capital punishment, some minors sentenced to death row are being pardoned. This is the fruit of the work of the Imam Ali Popular Students Society, a group who works to use the teachings of Islam to convince victims' families to allow the guilty to live and instead accept monetary, etc. compensation. In a recent case, Safar Anghouti, convicted of murder at the age of 17, was saved from execution by the efforts of the Society. The members of the Society contend that minors are still innocent and should be forgiven for their mistakes, and that those who forgive will be blessed in heaven. This was the plea made for Anghouti on Facebook (technically illegal in Iran) to encourage people to participate in a fundraiser to earn the $50,000 needed to satisfy the victim's family, a figure that was met within days. The Imam Ali Society also believes that execution is not the answer for drug-related crimes, a major issue in Iran. Though minors are still being placed on death row, these people will continue to work towards a more merciful punishment for minors.
This article was really interesting--I think that sometimes we take for granted how politically powerful social media can be, and I'm amazed at the difference this organization has been able to make by using to their advantage. It's terrible to think that a child could be condemned to execution, and I'm glad that someone is fighting for the rights of these kids. I only hope that this organization is allowed to stick around.
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