Iran: Amnesty Calls Halt Child Offender Executions

Iran: Amnesty International calls on Iran to halt executions of child offenders

Amnesty International urges Iran's judicial authorities to halt further executions of child offenders.

The organization expressed dismay at the reported execution in Ilam, western Iran, on 25 January 2004, of Mohammad Mohammadzadeh, 21, who is said to have murdered an individual four years ago, while a child offender, a person under the age of 18 at the time of the crime.

This is reportedly the eighth execution of a child offender in Iran since 1990.

Amnesty International is concerned that this execution was carried out following approval by parliament in December 2003 of a bill concerning the establishment of special courts for minors, which brought Iran's law in line with international law by removing provisions for the execution of child offenders.

Amnesty International stated that the execution of Mohammad Mohammadzadeh makes ratification of the bill by the Guardian Council, the highest legislative body, and its implementation an urgent necessity to prevent further executions of child offenders.

Stop child executions! Ending the death penalty for child offenders. More information on Amnesty International's new campaign at http://amnesty-news.c.tep1.com/maabTN3aa3Yh2bb0hPub/

View all documents on Iran at http://amnesty-news.c.tep1.com/maabTN3aa3Yh3bb0hPub/

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