Iran’s Barbaric Practice of Amputation: A Call for Global Action
The Iranian authorities are perpetuating a horrifying cycle of cruelty, recently carrying out the amputation of four fingers on each hand of three men – Hadi Rostami, Mehdi Sharafian, and Mehdi Shahivand – in Urumieh Central Prison. This act, condemned by Amnesty International and the international community, underscores a deeply troubling reality: Iran remains one of the few nations globally that systematically employs corporal punishment, including amputation, flogging, and blinding.
This isn’t an isolated incident.Iran’s judicial system, as Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Hussein Baoumi, states, “is a vital cog in the machinery of torture.” The recent amputations, carried out with a guillotine machine in front of senior officials, highlight a pattern of systematic impunity.
The Details of a Cruel Punishment
On July 30th, 2025, Rostami, Sharafian, and shahivand were blindfolded, handcuffed, and shackled before undergoing this brutal procedure. Following the amputations, they received minimal medical attention – basic stitching and bandaging – before being returned to prison, denied the specialist physical and mental healthcare they desperately need.
The injustice extends beyond the physical act. These men were denied adequate legal depiction, with Hadi Rostami never even granted access to a lawyer.Their convictions were based on forced ”confessions” extracted through torture, including beatings, flogging, threats of rape, and prolonged suspension by limbs.
A Systemic Issue, Not an Anomaly
iran’s continued use of amputation sentences is deeply concerning. amnesty International has documented multiple instances in recent years, and currently, Kasra Karami and Morteza Esmaeilian face similar sentences in Urumieh and Tabriz prisons, respectively. Scores more individuals are at risk.
This practice violates basic human rights and represents a grave breach of international law. It’s a intentional attempt to instill fear and suppress dissent, demonstrating a callous disregard for human dignity.
What Must Be Done?
The international community must respond decisively. we call for:
Immediate halt to Amputations: Iranian authorities must immediately cease all plans to carry out these cruel and inhuman sentences.
Abolition of Corporal Punishment: All forms of corporal punishment, including flogging and blinding, must be abolished in law and practice.
Reparations for Victims: Rostami, Sharafian, and Shahivand deserve full reparations, including compensation, rehabilitation, comprehensive medical and psychological care, and social and legal services.Guarantees of non-repetition are also essential.
International Pressure: All states must forcefully condemn this torture and exert maximum pressure on Iran to end these practices.
Global Jurisdiction: States should exercise universal jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Iranian officials responsible for these crimes under international law.
The Urgent Need for Action
Iran’s judicial system operates with systematic impunity, meaning these atrocities will continue unless the international community intervenes. This isn’t simply a matter of legal reform; it’s a matter of fundamental human rights.
Learn More and Take Action:
For a detailed account of these cases and to contribute to Amnesty International’s Urgent Action, please visit: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/9270/2025/en/
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