During an open session earlier this month, the Majlis (Iranian Parliament) passed an amendment to Article 1 of the Crime Act by 161 votes to 9 and 9 abstentions, making acid attacks a crime punishable by death if deemed “threatening to the social fabric and the safety and security of the community,” the Iranian Students News Agency reported.
The new law also enables courts to hand down lighter sentences to those convicted of acid attacks, such as their losing a hand or a foot, or being sent into exile.
Deputies, however, defeated Tayebeh Siavoshi’s motion to restrict the sale of acid by 102 votes to 68, and 10 abstentions. Mrs. Siavoshi’s proposal also called for a more stringent identity check of people purchasing corrosive substances. Siavoshi, who represents Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, and Eslamshahr, showed a two-minute video clip of victims of acid attacks before the final vote.
On April 21, the Majlis voted to increase the prison sentence for anyone convicted of an acid attack from five to 25 years.
There are no restrictions in Iran on purchasing acid on the internet or in shops, including drugstores that sell dangerous corrosive substances.
[Translated from Persian by Fardine Hamidi]
