[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

URGENT ACTION APPEAL

31 August 2007
UA 230/07       Death penalty/ Fear of imminent execution

IRAN            Behnam Zare' (m), aged 18

Behnam Zare' has been convicted of a murder committed when
he was 15 years old, and is now at risk of imminent
execution, though Iran is a state party to international
treaties including the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC), which expressly prohibit the execution of child
offenders. Behnam Zare' has been detained in Adelabad
prison, in the south-western city of Shiraz, since his
arrest. His death sentence could be carried out at any time.

The murder reportedly took place on 21 April 2005, when
Behnam Zare' swung a knife during an argument with a man
named Mehrdad, wounding him in the neck. Mehrdad later died
in hospital. Behnam Zare' was detained on 13 November 2005;
Branch 5 of Fars Criminal Court sentenced him to qesas
(retribution) on charges of premeditated murder. Under
Article 206 (b) of Iran's Criminal Code, murder is classed
as premeditated ''in cases where the murderer intentionally
makes an action which is inherently lethal, even if [the
murderer] does not intend to kill the person.'' The case
went on appeal before Branch 33 of the Supreme Court where
the sentence was upheld, and it has now been passed to the
Office for Implementation of Sentences.

Behnam Zare' was reportedly not aware that he had been
sentenced to death until a recent visit from his lawyer.

Around 11 August, his family were reportedly asked to seek a
pardon from the victim's family, who have so far reportedly
refused to grant one.

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. However,
since 1990, Iran has executed at least 24 child offenders.
At least 71 child offenders are currently on death row in
Iran.

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:
- expressing concern that Behnam Zare' is at risk of
execution for a crime committed when he was under 18;
- calling on the authorities to halt the planned execution
of Behnam Zare' immediately, and 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, and that the
execution of Behnam Zare' 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 into line with its
obligations under international law;
- stating that Amnesty International acknowledges the right
and responsibility of governments to bring to justice those
suspected of criminal offences, but unconditionally opposes
the death penalty.

APPEALS TO:
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 at leader.ir
Salutation:     Your Excellency

Head of the Judiciary:
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Justice Building
Panzdah-Khordad Square,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info at dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write:
FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Salutation:     Your Excellency

COPIES TO:
President:
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email:  dr-ahmadinejad at president.ir
        via website: www.president.ir/email

Iran does not presently have an embassy in this country.
Instead, please send copies to:
Iranian Interests Section
2209 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
Phone: 202 965 4990
Fax: 202 965 1073
Email: requests at daftar.org

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the AIUSA Urgent
Action office if sending appeals after 12 October 2007.


Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
that promotes and defends human rights.

This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable).
Thank you for your help with this appeal.

Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan at aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax:     202.675.8566

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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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