TEHRAN (AFP)–Iran’s parliament plans to scrap stoning and amputation of a hand as punishments in a revised version of the Islamic penal code, the official IRNA news agency reported Monday.
“Parliaments judicial commission decided not to put some Islamic punishments including stoning in the (revised) law in line with the interests of the country,” commission head Ali Shahrokhi told the agency.
He said the commission is also proposing the abolition of amputation and has considered the idea of a “special court for minors under 18.”
Once the commission has finalised the new version of the penal code, parliament will vote on whether to implement the revised law for a trial period.
Afterwards it will be discussed for final approval by the vetting legislative body, the Guardians Council. Source
I’d decided to write an article on stoning and i had even gathered enough data to show how much this punishment is not islamic and not possible to be practiced. Now after i read this news, am happy. They promised for more progress in Iran’s penal laws. Changes will come, regardless of whom on power.
Good news among all the miseries that western media feels completely ‘devoted’ to present the world about my country.. 
June 25, 2009 at 11:53 pm
That would be a great step forward, but I wouldn’t get my hopes too far up if I were you. The Iranian may or may not approve of the commissions proposition, and it’s very far from a sure thing that the Guardian Council will grant final approval of a reduction Shari’a-based based punishments in the Penal Code.
June 26, 2009 at 12:06 am
Jonolan, Am sure GC will aprove it. Such a big change does not happen before Parliament consults with Guardian Council. Since many months ago, this removal has been in the process of debate in Parliament, until now they officially issued it.
June 26, 2009 at 12:34 am
Indeed it is! I read about scrapping the stoning yesterday but didn’t realise it included amputation too. I hope it goes through and gets approved for you all.
There are some awful stories of both coming out of Somalia at the moment and I’d like to think that your country could set a lead for them.
You mention (proposals for) courts for under 18s; at what age are people tried in ‘adult’ courts at present?
June 26, 2009 at 12:54 am
Galgo, The adult age in Iranian court is 18 for both girls and guys.
June 26, 2009 at 5:59 am
Wow.. that’s all I can say now.. I’ll write back later!
Maahe Rajab porre sehato salamat dashte bashi Shahrazad jan!
June 26, 2009 at 8:55 am
Tee, be shoma ham hamintor. Mamnun baraye comment haye roohiye bakhshet azizam.
June 27, 2009 at 9:33 am
Salaams dearest Shahrazad! This is wonderful news. I work with people in jail ( some there justly, as others unjustly because of false accusations, etc.). I am SOOOO thankful to God I am nobody’s judge. I could never be somebody’s executioner and then live with myself…and that’s considering this crazy country still has the death penalty! I pray little by little all “civilized” nations as in Europe evolve to better opportunities and understanding so we can all live some day in peace (hopefully I’ll live to see this in my lifetime). Love your posts.
June 27, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Pragmatic decision.
June 28, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I suppose it could happen with the current schism in the Guardian Council. Khamenei’s opponents could force the issue as payment for not deposing him in the wake of the “election.”
With the exception of the juvenile court part of it though, I wouldn’t count on it.