Changes to drug laws in Iran could shift more than 5,000 convicts off death row, according to media in the country.

New regulations would limit the death penalty to drug kingpins, armed dealers and those convicted of smuggling more than 50kg of opium or 2kg of heroin.

The pro-reform Shargh newspaper and other dailies reported that Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani, the head of the judiciary, has ordered officials to “quickly” review cases and implement the new regulations.

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view.

From 15p €0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras.

The reports said the decision to implement the guidelines, which were approved in October, would affect more than 5,000 convicts.

Previous laws prescribed the death penalty for smuggling 20kg of opium or 30g of heroin.

Maya Foa, director of the Reprieve charity, told The Independent: “This change has the potential to save thousands of people from execution but it still leaves a court system in place that is characterised by systemic torture and the denial of legal representation.

“These continued due process violations raise a serious concern that death sentences and executions for drug offences will continue under the new legislation, most likely in high numbers.

“To really ensure justice is done, Iran should abolish the death penalty for all drug-related offences and automatically commute all existing sentences.”

Shape Created with Sketch. World news in pictures

Show all 50
left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, of the Iran Human Rights NGO, told BBC News: “If implemented properly, this change in law will represent one of the most significant steps towards reduction in the use of the death penalty worldwide.”

But he warned that because those sentenced to die over drug convictions were “marginalised” in society, they may not have the means or knowledge to take advantage of the review.

Magdalena Mughrabi, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa deputy director, acknowledged that the new rules could “spare hundreds from the gallows”, but said Iran “must stop using the death penalty for drug-related offences with a view to eventually abolishing it for all crimes".

Additional reporting by agencies

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view.

At The Independent, no one tells us what to write. That’s why, in an era of political lies and Brexit bias, more readers are turning to an independent source. Subscribe from just 15p a day for extra exclusives, events and ebooks – all with no ads.

Subscribe now

Comments

Share your thoughts and debate the big issues

Learn more
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
  • You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully
  • Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable
  • Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties
  • We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification

You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
  • Newest first
  • Oldest first
  • Most liked
  • Least liked
Loading comments...
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Community Guidelines

  • You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully
  • Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable
  • Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties
  • We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification

You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
  • Newest first
  • Oldest first
  • Most liked
  • Least liked
Loading comments...