Child executions violate international law: "[No] capital punishment... shall be imposed for offences committed by Article 37(a) of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child persons below eighteen years of age."
In Late April of last year I had the privilege to interview Miss Nazanin Afshin-Jam a former Miss World Canada who has since become a household name for many around the world for her strenuous efforts in alerting international opinion and Human Rights Organizations on the plight of an 18 year old compatriot, Nazanin Fatehi, who risked imminent execution in Iran for a crime committed only in an act of self defense (Read: Taking a Stand ). According to the United Nations, a child is a person under the age of 18, which was indeed the case of Nazanin Fatehi when she fatally stabbed one of three men who tried to rape her and her niece in March 2005. The predicament of the young girl moved international public opinion thanks to the campaign launched by Afshin-Jam to halt the execution order which eventually led to a retrial of the case and ultimate pardoning and freedom of the young girl. The success of this campaign would have not been possible without the help of many of YOU readers, human rights activists, the International Press moved by this case, as well as many professional intermediaries whose intervention was determinant to the happy conclusion of this Human Rights operation. If this public international mobilization proved anything, it was that public pressure and individual initiatives rallied by personalities in the public eye, can indeed have an effect on the decision making of the Iranian Judiciary and ultimately on the country’s leadership in abiding to International Law. In the light of another recent operation of similar nature led by the French government that led to the liberation of Bulgarian nurses and their Palestinian colleague (accused of deliberately infecting 426 children under treatment with HIV) in Libya after an 8 year Ordeal, the Save Nazanin Campaign appears to have been much more efficient and independent of any particular boost from a given foreign power ( France’s newly elected President Nicholas Sarkozy and First Lady interfered directly in the liberation of the nurses) or interest groups other than Human Rights Organizations worldwide. Miss Afshin-Jam’s personal commitment to this particular case was immense and mobilized her time and energy entirely from the day she decided to take this cause to her heart. She is deeply grateful and honored by the trust she received from the majority of her compatriots both inside and outside Iran but also by all the international support from anonymous men, women and youngsters moved sincerely by the young Iranian girl’s plight. This campaign also shed light on the dramatic situation of Iran’s Judiciary in regard to minors and the particularly barbaric way in which capital punishment is carried out In Iran but also in other countries ( including some neighboring nations of the Middle East) in total violation of Article 37(a) of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child ( As cited above). It should also be noted that the very public nature of carrying out the death sentence itself cannot be justified given the damaging psychological effects it has on young children who are brought to witness them as it has been the case in the Middle Ages or in the Wild American West of the 19th century.
The case of Nazanin Fatehi has also led to the awareness of alas many other similar cases that need to be URGENTLY seen to. This has led Miss Afshin-Jam to lead a 2nd campaign that follows and updates information on the recent cases but which ultimately aims to STOP CHILD EXECUTIONS once and for all. This cannot be achieved without YOUR HELP. Each signature counts and all public personalities of Iranian or non-Iranian heritage are most welcome to join in their voice and support for this Petition. It should also be reminded for those who still have doubts that: This Campaign is NOT POLITICAL, but HUMANITARIAN.
Although Nazanin Afshin-Jam has received solicitations from individuals and personalities that spread across the social and political spectrum of the Iranian Diaspora, she has refused to belong to any political l group, association or organization. She accepts however the support of all groups and individuals who are working towards Human Rights, Freedom and Gender Equality.
Darius KADIVAR (DK): Dear Nazanin, I would first like to ask you about your feelings on the success of the first campaign that you spearheaded against all Odds and would like to know about the whereabouts of Nazanin Fatehi? How is she doing and is her return to a normal civil life been easy and is she being followed psychologically?
In our last phone conversation Nazanin told me that she couldn’t properly sleep at night. She has nightmares and feels like someone is following her.
Despite these challenges, Nazanin Fatehi is determined to go to school and work hard, so that she can become a lawyer and help other women who have experienced injustice like her.
DK: Readers may be interested to know that you also managed recently to save another young man, Sina Paymard from a similar fate, but it was not as widely publicized in the press. Could you tell us more?
NAJ : I wouldn’t say that "I alone managed to save Sina Paymard", but rather that I helped and did everything in my power to help this young boy. His story can be divided in two parts.Over six months ago, I received a call from Mina Ahadi, the head of the International Committee Against Executions who was the key partner that helped me with the Save Nazanin campaign. She informing me that Sina Paymard could be executed within hours. I immediately informed my contacts at the United Nations about the urgency of this case. They immediately informed their delegates in Iran who talked to the victim’s family and just before sunrise when Sina was going to be executed he asked for one final request to play the « ney » (flute). From diplomatic pressure and being moved by the music, the victim’s family agreed to accept « diyeh » (blood money) and not go through with the execution.A few weeks ago, once again Amnesty International informed me that Sina Paymard could be executed within 8 hours.I verified the news and received confirmation from Sina’s lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh about the case.I called Canadian Foreign Minster of Canada Peter MacKay, who had his offices write an official statement urging Iran to stay Sina’s execution. He also said that he would contact some of his peers on the world stage like Condoleezza Rice.I called the UN offices in New York and Geneva to make sure that they were aware of the situation and that they were taking action. I was happy to find out that the European Union had also sent a formal letter to Iran regarding Sina.While this was happening, coincidentally I was conducting interviews on BBC radio in the UK, so I managed to inform the public of this imminent case. I had a press release written immediately regarding Sina’s desperate situation, which was sent worldwide. With anxious feelings and a knot in my stomach all night, I was happy to learn that Sina was not executed in the morning. The victim’s family was willing to extend the execution date until the full diyeh was paid.The Paymard family had already raised 80, 000 dollars but still needed the remaining amount to fulfill the expected 150 000 dollars. A generous professor in Tehran ended up paying the rest of the diyeh and Sina was spared his life. I was happy that Sina was not executed but I still harbored feelings of anxiety worrying that the payment of such a large diyeh amount would create a bad precedents in the future for other on death row. DK: According to your new campaign website ( //www.stopchildexecutions.com/the_row.aspx) there are currently 70+ minors on the death row the most Urgent cases for which Amnesty International calls for Open Action are those of Delara Darabi ( whose photo illustrates the Campaign), Reza Alinejad, Soghra Najafpour, and Sina Paymard to name a few. Readers can refer to your website for further feedback but could you tell us what can be done concretely by anyone concerned to help their cause ? NAJ: I would recommend for people to come to www.stopchildexecutions.com to learn more about these children on death row and to immediately sign the petition. We currently have close to 9000 signatures including hundreds of signatures from Members of Parliament from Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway and prominent women’s rights activists like Shirin Ebadi, Mehrangiz Kar, Fatemeh Haghighat Joo etc…I recommend watching “Prisoner of Colours”, a documentary we created about Delara Darabi to understand the ordeal that not only the minor suffers but the entire family.For those who have more time to spare, I recommend clicking on the “what you can do” section which encourages people to write direct letters to the Iranian Judiciary and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to abide by the treaties they have signed under International Human Rights law which forbids the execution of minors who have committed an offence before the age of 18. We call on people who would like to volunteer with the campaign in all capacities…- Web and technical aidThe only reason for using suspension instead of long drop is to prolong the suffering of the condemned.
If the execution is public, the condemned prisoner is often hoisted into the air by a telescopic crane. Sometimes the body is left hanging for several hours.
In the case of adultery, Iran also still practices death by stoning where the accused is buried up to their neck or chest in sand (depending on their gender), while the executioners and public take turns throwing stones until the person is dead. The sizes of stones are even determined in the Iranian Penal code, which is based on Sharia law. Too big of a stone cannot be used because it could kill the person too quickly and too small cannot be used because it would not be considered a “stone”.This barbarism must end immediately! DK: Although your Campaign focuses on the Predicament of minors, I suppose one cannot entirely ignore the alarming figures released by Amnesty International ( ) regarding capital punishment in Iran: There have been at least 139 people executed in Iran, and since the beginning of 2007, a total of 450 death sentences issued in the two years of Mr. Ahmadinejad's presidency. (***) Also these sentences are most of the time carried out in Public the photos of which have circulated on the Internet and rallied in the International press (**) which leaves little doubt as to their authenticity. Beyond Adults, the alarming fact is that children are exposed to these horrific scenes. Has the Iranian Judiciary been admonished in this regard by Human Rights organizations and if so, what has been their response or argument to justify this behavior ? NAJ: It is absolutely atrocious what is taking place in Iran at the moment… pure disregard for human life. Bloggers and Journalists are even being executed simply for practicing their fundamental human right of “freedom of expression”.There are way too many political prisoners being taken to jail or killed in fear from leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran of a power reversal.Human Rights groups worldwide have been fighting against the death penalty for a long time.It is very difficult rationalizing with the Judges ordering these death sentences. Often times they deny that such things are even taking place. The Judges justify their actions by claiming that they are following God’s will under Shari’ a Law.I personally am opposed to the death penalty and do not believe that one can teach a lesson that something is wrong with another wrong. If you say, “murder is bad” then why are you doing the same?” How dare someone play the role of God and take another human life? The reason we are focusing on CHILD executions initially, is because it is a battle that CAN be won. Iran has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Charter of the Rights of the Child, so why are these executions continuing? Why are there over 70 minors of death row??!! DK: The Save Nazanin Campaign petition collected 353632 Total Signatures. How long did that take to become effective, and how many signatures do you need for the newly drafted Stop Child Execution petition to start an effective campaign ? NAJ: It took about one year to collect over 350 000 signatures. There is no « magic number » in order for a petition to be effective. We are not worried so much in how many signatures we collect but more so how effective we will be in applying diplomatic pressure on Iran. We are starting to concentrate on gathering more signatures from leaders in the International community: Politicians in levels of power, artists with power to reach their fans in numbers, prominent human rights activists and Muslim leaders who can testify that killing children is not condoned by the religion. DK: You are not alone on this operation, could you introduce us some of your colleagues ( lawyers, webmasters, volunteers) who are working with you ? NAJ: Hundreds, if not thousands of people are taking part in this campaign and I would hate to forgot to mention anyone but there have been a few shining stars like David Etebari, the Campaign Coordinator of SCE who need to honoured. David and I first got in touch when he created a myspace page for Nazanin Fatehi last year. He has been extremely committed, organized and has contributed a lions share of his time amount time on the campaign. Kristian Hvesser from Norway is the rock of Gibraltar in the campaign. He created the Support Nazanin website and now gives himself fully to SCE.Donna Green a talented musician and graphic designer from Australia created the web design and tirelessly worked on getting all the info loaded on the site.Vincent Maunoury, the gentleman from Paris that first informed me about the story of Nazanin Fatehi. He gives all his heart to SCE.Attorneys in Law Mohammad Mostafaei, Shadi Sadr, Nasrin Sotoudeh, and Abdolsamad Khoramshahi and fellow legal experts in Iran that risk their lives in Iran trying to improve the situation of their countrymen/women.Kate Willingham and her colleagues at Amnesty International Headquarters in the UK who have been so quick to take action and mobilize when an imminent situation is present.The International Committee Against Executions who are the first on the scene holding rallies and demonstrating outside of world parliaments.New additions to the SCE team and highly dedicated to the cause, DW Duke, Nikki, Lucy, and Dave.And thousands and thousands more. Thank you! DK: Nazanin, I would like to ask you about the reaction of our fellow compatriots in regard to this campaign to date but not just from people who have signed your petition. What conclusions have you come up with after the dozens of meetings, speeches and demonstrations you have participated to ? Have we lived up to this challenge ? Do we need to invest ourselves more and if so what are the risks for those who have families in Iran and may be hesitating to contribute, can they help anonymously without jeopardizing their privacy or security ? NAJ: If there is ever a time to take action on this issue it is NOW. Iran is a hot topic in the media, so we must take advantage of this. Also, there are advancements being made as we speak in Iran regarding the question of child executions.The Judiciary spokesperson Alireza Jamshidi proposed a bill in Parliament asking for an end to executions of those who have committed an offence before the age of 18, as well as an end to life imprisonment for minors. While this is being debated in the Majles, the civil society must get behind this bill in pressuring the government to pass this law. The next challenge is making sure the Council of Guardians which is made up of religious clerics do not veto this bill. A buzz is stirring in Iran, and the issue of child executions is becoming more rampant in the community. More newspapers are writing about the subject.The Iranian Diaspora definitively needs to step it up and assume their share of responsibility for suffering of their brothers and sisters back home. I must admit that I am disappointed with the level of inactivity from the Iranian community when rallies are organized around Iranian human rights abuses.Through my years of activism, from the time I started a Global issues club in my high school, to working with the Red Cross as a Global Youth Educator, until now, I have learned that people are compassionate and want to contribute but often feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the worlds problems. I wish everyone would realize the power they have within themselves to make a difference. If you do not take the first step, you will not arrive at your destination. We have already come a mile, we simply need more people to continue the relay, and then we will be able win the race against injustice.Turning a blind eye to these atrocities is in itself a crime against humanity. DK: Since you started this Campaign, you have also been contacted in regard to similar cases in other Countries for which you are updating the database on your website. Is the execution of minors specific to Muslim countries ?You can also Read this Article on payvand.com (with extra documents)
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Appreciate it...
by soheil (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 02:07 PM PDTThanks Nazanin & co. for all your efforts. I personally appreciate it.
Thank you
by Farhad2008 (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:22 PM PDTThank you nazanin, you are a great person with a great personalitty.
And thank you Dariush
Faceless & Baseless few who oppose Nazanins human rights efforts
by David ET on Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:11 AM PDTWhen Nazanin was in a photo with Mina Ahadi , the head of International Committee Agaianst Executions , who is also a communist, few said Nazanin is a communist.
When Nazanin was in photo with Reza Pahlavi, few said Nazanin is a Monarchist.
When Nazanain was in photos with Shirin Ebadi or Fatemeh Hgahighatjou or Mehrangiz Kar, few said Nazanin is a reformist or agent of Islamic Republic.
Sometimes one wonders if it is the same few faceless individuals who make the baseless accusations. Nazanin's website including the stop child executions campaign websites are blocked by regime in Iran who also oppose Nazanin's human rights efforts. Can we draw parallels?
Let's hear it from Nazanin on her own website:
"Nazanin is an independent. She is not part of any political group, association or organization. She helps all groups and individuals who are working towards human rights, freedom and gender equality. "
And this is from Stop Child Executions Website:
5. Our campaign is not affiliated with any political or religious groups, associations or organizations. We appreciate and encourage any cooperation and efforts by all groups and individuals who share our goal.
6. The Stop Child Executions campaign does not necessarily agree with all views published by other organizations or individuals we work with or link to and a link to an external website should not be seen as an embracing of views expressed at that website.
The more we see a few faceless individuals with baseless accusations about Nazanin , the more it proves that she is on the right path helping stop child executions in Iran and worldwide ..
A short google search for
by 12th (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 10:34 AM PDTA short google search for Bodog's Calvin Ayre convinced me Nazanin Afshin-Jam maybe their front face for illegal transaction.
What Have You Done???
by Why (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 10:12 AM PDTNazanin is doing what she can for those who need help. --To do what? To stop the regime from forcing them to take their LAST BREATH!
What have you done lately? Or ever for that matter? Please tell me what "YOU" have done for "ANYBODY"?
Please give us your lists!!
1-
2-
3- ........etc.
*
ps. I havrn't done much myself, only small financial aid to those in need in Iran,
I have been disabled for the past 11 years.
And I'm sorry that I can't do more, and didn't do more in the past when I was able and younger.
Dont spew hate and anger when someone is trying hard to help.
NazaninAfshin-Jam: Cover Girl NOT Money Laundering for Bodog
by Cyrus M (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 09:59 AM PDTBabak, your an idiot, your information is 100% wrong and no-one would believe that an renowned international Human Rights Advocate such as Nazanin would be somehow money laundering especially since Bodog is as I understand it a major international corporation like Virgin Airlines, Entertainment, Music, Gaming. People like you are jealous and look to damage reputations while you sit back and waste good use of air in this world. What do you do to further mankind or to build a better world. Lets hear about you and what you have accomplished. I'm sure it is very little.
Cyrus
NAZANIN-AN ANGEL WITH A MISSION.
by S.Salimian-Heffner (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 09:37 AM PDTShe is very well respected in the Iranian and International Community. The fact is that she is not part of any group or organization. She does her own thing, which is human rights and frankly doesnt get caught up in the iranian day to day baseless bullshit or criticism. She is very intelligent and educated and current with international politics and policies. I hope that more persians, both men and women would be like her. She is a role model to me and my children. I am proud to tell people that Nazanin is Persian.
Jihad watch
by Anonymousk (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 09:22 AM PDTKnow your Jihadist du jour:
//www.jihadwatch.org/
Darius Kadivar is a monarchist dictator lover
by Batman (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 08:44 AM PDTDarius Kadivar is a monarchist dictator lover who gives a platform to anyone who shares in his views.
With the world as it is
by Zagross (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 08:44 AM PDTWith the world as it is today everyone seems to be guilty untill proven innocent!
With her efforts, along with others, the other Nazanin was saved wasn't she?
Give credit when it's due!
Here's me making a difference. No, thank you
by caspianseamermaid (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 08:40 AM PDTYou want us to promote and condone one set of murdering gangsters,thugs and meglomaniacs (theocrats, complete insane loons, who get guidance from a teapot in the sky) against the other plundering, murdering thugs and meglomaniacs ('monarchists', bunch of nouveaux plebs,without a royal blood in their veins) ?
No, thank you.
Believe!
by Decency (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 08:38 AM PDTI believe her.
I sincerely hope she doesn't prove me wrong like some other activists have!
I believe her.
Lets' believe
by 10-cent%more (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 07:41 AM PDTThe true test for Nazanin will be her choice of life partner. Since most beauty contenders start their post-competition careers talking about charity and humanitarian causes, yet somehow - almost exclusively - end up in the arms of super-rich corporate tycoons or their sons, or if they are blonde, in hollywood.
For now, let's believe Nazanin is as sincere as she appears to be.
You may hear here and there all sorts of gossip about her, but let's give her the benefit of the doubt.
Nazanin Afshin-Jam: Cover Girl Money Laundering for Bodog?
by Babak 101 (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 06:25 AM PDTIs the former Ms. Canada a cover girl for the recycling of money and illegal activities Bodog is known for? Is she money laundering for Bodog in the United States and elsewhere? Her brother-in-law Peter Carol who works for Bodog and the company’s founder Calvin Ayre have been taken to court on multiple charges. Mr. Kadivar, Nazanin Afshin-Jam’s beauty may fool you but there are many who fight for human rights and have a whole lot of questions when it comes to this former beauty queen with questionable characters behind her!
Ms. Afsharjam will have far more credibility
by Peace4Iran (not verified) on Sun Oct 07, 2007 02:20 AM PDTif she didn't take so many pictures with Reza Pahlavi and Amir-Abbas Fakhravar and didn't appear on their "Blue Revolution" prochure which also featured hardline zionists Michael Ledeen, Natan Sharonsky and Richard Perl. Until Nazanin explains what she's doing with these known enemies of Iranians (Ledeen supports federalism and Perl support war), we can't take her seriously.
miss canada
by gol-dust on Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:27 PM PDTdariush,
looking at you picture w/nazanin, engaar kheily keif miconi! thanks
oh my god who's going to support poor and homeless in Canada?
by hajiagha on Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:06 PM PDTIranian artist
be honest life in Iran 100 times better and safer as in Canada, I be homeless over 2 years on Canadian street, young Canadian are going to die buy drugs, buy gangs, cost of living is so expensive , family children man and women are living under bridge, in cave, in jungle, in van or in car, in street, mass of the homeless, and are government looks to me care about winter Olympic or miss Canada or miss universe, or fancy rich people . as Iranian journalist, cartoonist I am telling you nothings rung with Iran, all this Iranian landing out as refugee they are lies , they came here for money and better life which there is no better life and money , like slaves hard working and pay TAX to government of Canada to they spend are money on own and politics....