PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/009/2008

18 January 2008

UA 15/08 Death Penalty/imminent execution/unfair trial

IRAN Amir Amrollahi (m), aged 17 or 18

Child offender Amir Amrollahi is in imminent danger of execution for a murder committed when he was 16 years old. His execution order has been approved by the Supreme Court and passed to the Office for the Implementation of Sentences, which organises executions.

The murder took place in November 2006 during a fight with another boy, who was fatally stabbed. According to his lawyer, who took up his case very recently, Amir Amrollahi stabbed the other boy in the chest because he thought the other boy was about to attack him, and then panicked and ran off. Then, according to eyewitnesses, there was a delay of at least half an hour before any medical assistance reached the victim of the stabbing, by which time his wound had proved fatal.

His family are poor, so Amir Amrollahi could not afford competent legal representation at his trial. According to a lawyer who recently took over his case, the court did not hear that the killing had been unintentional, or that he was prescribed heavy doses of sedatives while in prison awaiting trial. His mental state at the time of the incident was not properly considered.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

International law strictly prohibits the use of the death penalty against child offenders, those convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18. Iran is a state party to both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and so has undertaken not to execute child offenders. However, since 1990, Iran has executed at least 30 child offenders, at least six of them in 2007. There are now at least 86 child offenders on death row in Iran. This number may be even higher as at least a further 15 Afghan child offenders have reportedly been sentenced to death.

For more information about Amnesty International's concerns regarding executions of child offenders in Iran, please see: Iran: The last executioner of children (MDE 13/059/2007, June 2007)

http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engmde130592007

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:

- calling on the authorities to halt the execution of Amir Amrollahi immediately;

- expressing concern that he was sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was under 18;

- calling on the authorities to commute his death sentence;

- reminding 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;

- stating that Amnesty International recognises the right and responsibility of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances.

APPEALS TO:

Head of the Judiciary

His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi

Ministry of Justice, Panzdah Khordad (Ark) Square,

Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Email: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)

Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying. If a voice answers, say, "Fax please.")

Salutation: Your Excellency

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:

President

His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

The Presidency

Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection

Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Fax: + 98 21 6 649 5880

Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir

(via website) http://www.president.ir/email/

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.

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