Marilyn Stowe Blog

How one son’s love went around the world – and how you can help

It is often said that the world is now a smaller place, and recent events have had me thinking about this throwaway phrase. In 2010, are we really more of a “global community” than ever before?

Yesterday, almost every male in our office was joyfully whistling “Viva Espana” as he passed by the office of Frank Arndt, our German partner.  James Thornton, who shares a room with Frank, had earlier been on Radio York delightedly trumpeting the Spanish victory against Germany in the World Cup.

Andrew Williams, our Chief Executive, is doubly delighted because he has drawn Spain in the firm’s sweepstake. Jo Childs, Frank’s secretary, has drawn Holland – and with Spain and Holland preparing to play in the World Cup final, the two of them are now at loggerheads. Andrew’s offer to share the winnings has been firmly rejected. It’s war!

I drew Italy. On the day of the fateful game against Slovakia I kept getting gleeful texts from my son Ben.

The first read, No chance.

The second: Definitely no chance.

Finally: You’ve lost.

Yes, I am sorry to say that Italy let me down and I have lost my £1 stake. But right now, having obtained his first class honours degree in law, Ben can do no wrong. (As if he ever could!) How fortunate we are to have our families and friends, with whom we can laugh.

This week I have also been reading of another woman’s son: a brave, desperate man who loves his mother so dearly that he has risked terrible danger by turning to our “global community” for assistance. Reading of the disgusting and cruel behaviour that his family has endured, and continues to endure, tears my heart to pieces.

His name is Sajad Ghadarzade, he is 22-years-old and his family lives in Iran. He has been appealing to international human rights groups after his mother, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, was charged with adultery and sentenced to death by stoning.

What can I say about Iran’s rulers and “lawmen”, that hasn’t already been widely documented across the world? Do you recall the 2004 hanging of 16-year-old Atefeh Rajabi Sahaaleh, from a crane in a public square for “crimes against chastity”, following her rape by a 51-year-old man? The judge who sentenced her to death also acted as the prosecutor and witness in the case. He even carried out the sentence, placing the noose around her neck before she was hoisted to her death. Why is a man like that distinguished by the title of “Judge”, when he should be serving a life sentence for murder?

Sakineh Mohamadi Ashtiani, 43, has already received 99 lashes and served five years’ imprisonment for the “crime” of adultery. Her son stayed with her, helplessly watching as his mother’s flogging was barbarically administered. He was 17 at the time and said he could not leave her to suffer alone.

After five years her case has been reopened, for reasons which cannot be explained, and she has been sentenced to death. She was all set to be tortured and murdered by the barbaric practice of stoning. When a woman is killed in this way, she is ritually dressed in a shroud and buried up to her breasts. Stones are then hurled at her head, and death is expected to take around 30 minutes.

The Times, which is covering the case in detail, has valiantly taken the lead on behalf of this family – and all credit to the newspaper. More than 80 influential figures, from Robert Redford to Harriet Harman, have signed a letter organised by The Times calling for this “indefensible punishment” to be overturned.

In response to this international pressure, the Iranian Government has bowed to some extent. Sajad Ghadarzade’s mother will not now be stoned to death. However her death sentence has not been commuted.

Mrs Ashtiani’s courageous son is still a young man. Not for him the trivial pleasure of teasing his mum about a football sweepstake, or the pleasure of watching a World Cup final alongside his loved ones. Instead, every knock on the door must bring him terror as to save his mother’s life, he has publicised her cause at considerable risk to his own safety.

If we are truly a “smaller world” and a “global community”, then let us put our shared aims and values to good use – over and above the football. Let us unite across the world and clamour unceasingly for the release of Mrs Ashtiani.

At the time of writing an online petition has already drawn more than 5,000 names. Amnesty International has set up a template form online so that people can write to those who can influence Mrs Ashtiani’s fate.

Let us strive to ensure that this woman, her brave son and the rest of their family can live unharmed and safe for the rest of their lives.