“A child who during a quarrel for some reason without prior intent commits a crime, should not be treated as an adult. When it comes to under 18, there should be considerations and their punishments reduced” Father of juvenile Amirkabir Bahram whose execution was delayed pending review. http://scenews.blog.com/3974835/
”We should not be the record-breaker of executions in the world” Mohammad Mostafaei, attorney of 25 juveniles on execution row http://scenews.blog.com/3974784/
“In Iran youngsters are not executed. Where have they been executed? Our law actually sets 18 as the criminally liable age for capital punishment.” Iran’s president Ahmadinejad in an interview with New York Times (FACT : Iran has executed at least 26 minors sinec 2005 and has at least 140 on death row) http://scenews.blog.com/3994141/
“Ah. Sometimes these figures get confused with the execution of drug traffickers. A large band of drug traffickers was actually executed in Iran, that is true.” Iran’s president Ahmadinejad in an interview with New York Times when reported confronted him with execution report of Juvenile Behnam Zare (FACT: Zare was executed for alleged murder at age of 15 and NOT drug trafficking)
http://scenews.blog.com/3994141/
“Whether we can take any measure for those below eighteen or not – we have recently presented a new bill to the parliament, in which we have established the legal age for execution as eighteen” Alireza Jamshidi spokesperson for Iran’s judiciary
http://scenews.blog.com/3994118/
“Immediately commute all death sentences for those sentenced to execution for crimes committed before the age of 18. ” SCE asking Iran’s supereme leader Ayatollah Khamenei . #1 on it’s list of solutions to end child executions http://scenews.blog.com/3964190/
“We, as local , national, regional and international non-governmental organisations from every part of the world, call on each U.N. member state to fully implement the absolute ban on the juvenile death penalty, as required by customary law, the Convention on the Rights of the child, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and as highlighted by the (U.N.) Secretary-General’s recent study on violence against children,” From a petition signed by Stop Child Executions and more than 300 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from 82 countries, organised by the Children’s Rights International Network (CRIN). http://scenews.blog.com/4002434/
“According to this directive, punishments for offenders under the age of 18 [in capital offence cases], will be reduced to life in prison in the first stage and in the second stage [of parole] will be reduced to 15 years….In addition, in cases of good behaviour and signs of rehabilitation, juvenile offenders may qualify for conditional release under Islamic compassions guidelines.”
From an interview with Iran’s Assistant Attorney General for Judicial Affairs by IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency
“Stop Child Executions hopes Iran will abide by their announcement and looks forward to seeing the implementations of its other recommendations to Iran into law.” Stop Child Executions statement http://scenews.blog.com/4023595/
“We hope this latest news of Iran’s desire to end the death penalty for minors is sincere and abide by their word . We are pleased that Iran is taking the right step forward “ Nazanin Afshin-Jam president and co-founder of Stop Child Executions http://scenews.blog.com/4025526/
“I’m delighted….”If this directive is implemented, it will be a huge step forward and will move the world very close to a real ban on the execution of juvenile offenders.” Jo Becker, director of the Children’s Rights Project of Human Rights Watch
“[We] welcome the announcement and hope that it will pave the way to a complete abolition of the death penalty in Iran,” Amnesty International statement
“ I wish I was eloquent enough right at the moment to be able to express our feelings as if you were here in the room with us. It’s just an honour and a privilege to be part of this step towards the final goal. SCE! Further to travel… but this is amazing!” Donna Greene , Stop Child Executions Volunteer
“They stopped these executions…because of the constant pressure by groups such as SCE and other NGOs and human rights organizations. This is the only legitimate and effective way of brining about change: civil action.” Jahanshah Javid, president of iranian.com