Source: www.achildisachild.com

STUDENTS URGE FIFA MEMBER COUNTRIES

NOT EXECUTE YOUNG OFFENDERS

                The Canadian Student Initiative achildisachild.com has written the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Joseph S. Blatter requesting FIFA’s urgent intervention with the few member countries who still execute young offenders.

                A Student Initiative leader, Charlotte Vogt of Munich Germany says, “FIFA is committed to using football as a symbol of hope and integration.  Young offender executions are inconsistent with FIFA’s humanitarian objectives.”

                  Currently according to Amnesty International at least 140 young offenders are on death row in Iran’s prisons.  These death sentences are a direct violation of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child and the International Conventions on Political and Civil Rights.  On May 1, 2009, Iran executed Delara Darabi, a young artist and young offender.  The execution of other young offenders has been scheduled.

                Vogt said, “FIFA has a commitment to Human Rights and to the young. Yet FIFA member execute young offenders.  We are requesting the humanitarian assistance of FIFA in bringing an end to this practice.”

                Vogt has requested FIFA to remind members of FIFA’s humanitarian values, and to request member countries to abide by United Nations Conventions which protect kids and young offenders from execution.  “It’s time FIFA did something about the despicable practice of young offender executions in some FIFA member countries” said Vogt.