Washington: Terming stoning a "barbaric and abhorrent" act, the US has hoped that Iran would live up to its international obligation over its plan to stone a woman convicted of adultery.
"We would expect Iran to live up to its international obligations," State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said.
"Well, what they will do is up to Iranian authorities. But Iran is a signatory to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. There are international standards when it comes to transparency and due process," he said.
"We don`t think that those standards have been met in this case. Stoning is a barbaric and abhorrent act," he said, adding the US has joined with many, many voices around the world in condemning this prospective action by Iran.
"But ultimately, this is in the hands of Iranian authorities," Crowley said.
The plight of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, has caused a global outcry, following which Iran has reportedly suspended the death sentence.
PTI
