A 19 July 1996 Federal News Service report states that under the Iranian Penal Code, the crime of rape is punishable by execution. On 10 July 1996 the Xinhua News Agency reported that rape is punishable by death.

The following information was provided during a 10 September 1996 telephone interview with a specialist on Iran at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

The source stated that rape is not commonly reported in Iran because of the shame associated with it. The source added that rape is rare in Iran. However, the source was unable to provide an assessment of rapes inside marriages. A rape victim would not be at risk for reporting a rape, but she would be socially "tainted". The Iranian authorities would provide assistance to prosecute the offender in a rape case involving a man who was not known to the victim, and where the evidence is unequivocal. A rape case involving an offender known to the victim would not receive the same support from the authorities because they would want to know why the woman was alone with the man. In this situation the burden of proof would be on the woman. As well, if the offender is a member of the security forces apparatus or clergy, the case likely would never be prosecuted. The source stated that statistics on rapes in Iran are almost non-existent.

The above information was corroborated during a 11 September 1996 telephone interview with a specialist on Iran in England.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Federal News Service. 19 July 1996. "Iran Adopts Tough New Laws That Expand Use of Death Penalty." (NEXIS)

Professor specializing on Iran, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. 10 September 1996. Telephone interview.

Specialist on Iran, England. 11 September 1996. Telephone interview.

The Xinhua News Agency. 10 July 1996. "Iran to Hang Three Armed Robbers in Tehran." (NEXIS)

Federal News Service. 19 July 1996. "Iran Adopts Tough New Laws That Expand Use of Death Penalty." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua News Agency. 10 July 1996. "Iran to Hang Three Armed Robbers in Tehran." (NEXIS)