25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

The Supreme Court has limited review authority ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003") [#19747],  [ID 8430]

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Border Agency (Home Office)

UK Home Office: The Supreme Court revoked all laws dating from the previous regime which did not conform to Islam ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 8432]

"4.18. The Supreme Court, which has 16 branches, revoked all laws dating from the previous regime which did not conform to Islam. It has limited authority to review cases. In October 1982 all courts set up prior to the Islamic Revolution were abolished. In June 1987 Ayatollah Khomeini ordered the creation of clerical courts to try members of the clergy opposed to government policy. A new system of qisas (retribution) was established, placing the emphasis on speedy justice. Islamic codes of correction were introduced in 1983, including the dismembering of a hand for theft, flogging for fornication and violations of the strict code of dress for women, and stoning for adultery."

Document(s): Open document

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

00.11.2001 - ACCORD: Minimum international legal obligations in regard to fair trial often violated in the Press Courts, the Revolutionary Courts and the Special Court for the Clergy ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8431]

"Art. 14 of the ICCPR sets out the minimum requirements for fair trial. In addition to a competent, independent and impartial court, these include prompt information of the individual about the charges against him; provision of adequate time for the preparation of his defence and communication with counsel of his own choosing, trial in a public hearing without undue delay, in the presence of the defendant and with assigned legal assistance in any case where the interests of justice so require. In addition, Art. 14 (5) of the ICCPR states that everyone convicted of a crime shall have the right that his conviction and sentence be reviewed by a higher tribunal according to law.

In practice, however, these minimum international legal obligations are often violated by procedural irregularities in the Press and ‘special’ courts, such as Islamic Revolutionary Courts and the Special Court for the Clergy. [...]"

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf