URGENT CALL – 3 imminent child executions
FEB 12, 2008
Isfahan- Iran
Ahmad Mortazavian, Reza Hejazi, Iman Hashemi
Autnews of the Amirkabir university in Tehran reported that according to the Human Rights and Democracy Activists of Iran, three Iranian youth are facing imminent execution in the Dastgerd prison of city of Isfahan, The names of the three boys are:
Ahmad Mortazavian, born 1992 , arrested in 2007 at the age of 15
Reza Hejazi, born 1989, arrested in 2004 at the age of 15
Iman Hashemi, born 1989, arrested in 2005 at the age of 16
According to the report, the death sentence of the three juveniles have been approved and they can be hanged at anytime.
Background Information:
International law strictly prohibits the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18.
As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the CRC, Iran has undertaken not to execute child offenders. since 1990, the ruling Islamic regime in Iran has executed
at least 30 juveniles, including more than 6 in 2007.
The number of known persons facing execution in Iran for alleged crimes before the age of 18 has reached 95 according to our latest records. According to the statistics provided by an Iranian police official about 170 children (under 18 at time of alleged crime) can be facing execution in Iran. There has been a substantial surge in processing the children’s file for execution and in the past 3 months SCE has reported 16 imminent executions. Earlier this month 42 European countries condemned Iran for the surge in child executions. Iran has broken the world records in 2007 with at least 297 known executions comparing to 177 in 2006.
As of February 2008 Stop Child Executions Campaign has recorded 100 children facing executions worldwide:
95 in Iran, 2 in Saudi Arabia, 2 in Sudan and 1 in Yemen.
In 2007 at least
7 were reported to have been executed: 6 in Iran and 1 in Saudi Arabia.
3 are known to have been saved from execution: 2 in Iran and 1 in Yemen.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
– Call on the Iranian authorities to immediately halt the executions of Ahmad Mortazavian, Reza Hejazi and Iman Hashemi kept in Isfahan’s Dastgerd prison.
– Express concern that Ahmad Mortazavian, Reza Hejazi and Iman Hashemi were sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was under 18;
– Calling for the death sentences against Ahmad Mortazavian, Reza Hejazi and Iman Hashemi to be commuted;
– Remind the authorities that Iran is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibit the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18, and that the executions of Ahmad Mortazavian, Reza Hejazi and Iman Hashemi would therefore be a violation of international law;
– Urging the authorities to pass legislation to abolish the death penalty for offences committed by anyone under the age of 18, so as to bring Iran’s domestic law in line with its obligations under international law;
– Stating that you acknowledge the right and responsibility of governments to bring to justice those children suspected of criminal offences, but unconditionally opposes their death penalty.
APPEALS TO:
Head of the judiciary
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Ministry of Justice, Panzdah Khordad (Ark) Square,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency
Email: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying, if the called is answered, say “fax please”)
Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@leader.ir
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran
His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani
C/o Office of the Deputy for International Affairs
Ministry of justice,
Ministry of Justice Building, Panzdah-Khordad (Ark) Square,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: + 98 21 5 537 8827 (please keep trying)
and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
for more information about how to help visit:http://www.stopchildexecutions.com/how-you-can-help.aspx
