The Presidency of the European Union urgently calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately halt the execution of three juvenile offenders, Mr Mohammad Fadaei, Mr Behnood Shojaee and Mr Saeed Jazee, who are scheduled to be executed on 11 June 2008.
The Presidency of the EU recalls its statement on 4 June and reiterates that these and as well as all other juvenile death sentences are in direct contravention of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s international obligations and commitments to which the Islamic Republic of Iran has freely entered. These obligations contravene specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. These two international human rights mechanism clearly prohibit the execution of minors or people who have been convicted of crimes committed when they were minors. These international legal obligations must be fully and unconditionally respected by the Iranian authorities.
The Presidency of the EU urges the Islamic Republic of Iran to fully comply with international law, taking in consideration alternative sentences for juvenile offenders and respect for international norms and standards that provide safeguards guaranteeing the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty.
