Define: Lapidation

Lapidation, also known as stoning, is a form of punishment where a person is pelted with stones until death occurs.

Lapidation is considered a form of cruel and inhumane punishment and is illegal in most countries. It is also prohibited under international human rights law.

Lapidation is still practiced in a few countries, primarily in regions where Sharia law is implemented. These countries include Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and some parts of Nigeria and Pakistan.

Lapidation is typically carried out as a punishment for crimes such as adultery, blasphemy, or apostasy, depending on the interpretation of religious laws in the respective countries.

Lapidation is widely condemned by human rights organisations and legal experts as a violation of the right to life and the prohibition of torture. It cannot be justified under any circumstances.

Countries that have abolished lapidation as a punishment have implemented alternative forms of punishment, such as imprisonment, fines, or community service.

The United Nations and various international human rights organisations strongly condemn lapidation as a violation of human rights and call for its abolition worldwide.

In countries where lapidation is illegal, those who carry out or participate in such acts can face criminal charges, including charges of murder or manslaughter.

Numerous organisations and activists are working towards the global abolition of lapidation. They advocate for legal reforms, raise awareness, and put pressure on governments to end this practice.

You can support organisations that work towards the abolition of lapidation through donations, spreading awareness, and advocating for human rights in your own community and on a global scale.