The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is calling on Humanists and all people of good conscience to show their support for the International Day Against Stoning, today, July 11, 2011. IHEU marked the day by calling on Iran to release Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Iran is one of several countries that impose a form of Islamic law that includes death by stoning as a punishment for crimes including adultery.

Speaking in a dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 16th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva today, 3rd March 2011, IHEU representative Roy Brown condemned the continuing selectivity of the Council, comparing the immediate and excellent response of the Council to the barbarity of the Libyan regime with its lack of effective response to many other crimes against humanity. Brown cited in particular the judicial murder of hundreds of people in Iran and the deaths of more than 200,000 innocent civilians in the Sudan.

Maryam Namazie, from IHEU member organization the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, is protesting against “gross inaccuracies” and “biased reporting” in a BBC TV show on stoning in Iran.  Namazie is especially concerned that the show will add legitimacy to the Iranian government’s planned execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who has been the focus of an international campaign since she was sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery.

Hundreds will be demonstrating in London against Sharia and religious laws and in support of secularism and universal rights on Sunday 20 June 2010. The rally organised by the One Law for All Campaign will be held from 1400-1600 hours at Richmond Terrace junction with Whitehall opposite Downing Street.

Following a campaign by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and other human rights supporters, the Islamic Republic of Iran has withdrawn its candidacy to join the United Nations Human Rights Council. Iran’s appalling human rights record had generated global opposition to its bid to join the world’s leading human rights body. Reuters reported that, "One Western diplomat said Tehran had pulled out after it became apparent it might not secure enough votes to win a seat, which would have embarrassed Iran".

Update: Iran has withdrawn its candidacy. IHEU President Sonja Eggerickx today launched an international appeal to keep Iran out of the United Nations Human Rights Council. "Iran has one of the worst human rights records on earth," she said, "yet it has had the audacity to announce its candidacy for membership of the UN Human Rights Council. The international community must not let this happen. We are calling upon the world's non-governmental organisations to join us in our appeal to keep Iran out." IHEU has started a petition on this web site and is seeking signatures from other organizations.

Update: Iran has withdrawn its candidacy.

The following organizations have signed the "Keep Iran out of the UN Human Rights Council" petition.

The total to date is 76. Click here to sign the petition on behalf of your organization.

Legal and diplomatic condemnations of Iran by UN Member States

In March 2010, the Federal Court of Switzerland, the country’s highest judiciary body, refused any further cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran because of its grave human rights violations.

One of IHEU's Dutch member organization, HIVOS (the Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation), is being targeted by the Islamic regime in Iran.

Please act now to ask the Iranian government to stop the execution of Ehsan Fattahian scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, 2009.