In reaction to the news that Majid Movahedi, sentenced to blinding as retribution for an acid attack seven years ago which led to Ameneh Bahrami sustaining serious injuries including loss of her sight, has been pardoned by his victim, in exchange for compensation, Hassiba Hadj Sahr Aoui, Amnesty International's Deputy Director of Middle East and North Africa, said: “Majid Movahedi committed a horrendous act which has ruined Ameneh Bahrami's life, and the state has a responsibility to bring him to justice and to ensure that Ameneh Bahrami receives recompense for the damage done to her,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, “but deliberate blinding inflicted by a medical expert is a cruel punishment which amounts to torture, which is prohibited under international law.” “The Iranian authorities should review the penal code as a matter of urgency to ensure those who cause intentional serious physical harm, like acid attacks, receive an appropriate punishment – but that must never be a penalty which in itself constitutes torture.” Hassiba Hadj Sahr Aoui also called on Iran's police to take seriously women's complaints of harassment and violence, a long standing demand by Amnesty International and Iranian women's human rights defenders, and to review their procedures to ensure that women who fear harm as a result of domestic or other violence receive adequate protection. Amnesty
