Iranian officials have formally rejected Brazil’s second offer of asylum to Iranian Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who is sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery. Iran’s rejection of Brazil’s diplomatic attempts follows President Lula’s initial unsuccessful appeal to the Iranian government made late last month and forms part of an international effort to free Ms. Ashtiani.
Ramin Mehmanparast, a spokesperson for the Iranian government, called Brazil’s attention to Sakineh Ashtiani’s case a “mere uproar created to undermine relations” and mockingly asked if Brazil wanted to “be a place for criminals from other countries.”
Brazil’s Human Rights Minister Paulo Vannuchi has vowed to continue press Iran’s “dictator” diplomatically while Ms. Ashtiani’s lawyer continues to appeal for her liberty and bring international attention to the case.
Fear for Ms. Ashtiani’s fate has increased following the newly-added charge that Ms. Ashtiani was involved in the murder of her husband and her recorded confession to the crime which was broadcasted on Iranian national television last week. Ms. Ashtiani’s lawyer insists that the confession was forced out of her through torture and that the new charges are solely intended to expedite her execution.
In response to Ms. Ashtiani’s televised confession, Amnesty International’s Middle East deputy director, Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, issued a statement saying: “This so-called confession forms part of a growing catalogue of other forced confessions and self-incriminating statements made by many detainees in the past year.”
International organizations and foreign governments have also condemned the broadcast and added their voices to the growing international appeal for Ms. Ashtiani’s freedom.
Brazil’s inability to influence Iran on this matter clashes with initial expectations that its longstanding defense of the Iranian regime would pay-off in the form of a positive response to President Lula’s appeal. Brazil’s lack of progress with the Ashtiani case should be a wake-up call to the government of President Lula and offer valuable lessons as to the limits of its relationship with Iran.
Photo: Jose Cruz, Photo Agencia Brasil
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