URGENT ACTION
08 January 2008
UA 09/08 Death penalty
IRAN Behnoud (m), full name not known, aged about 19, child offender
A young man called Behnoud has been convicted of a murder committed before he was 18, and is now believed to be in danger of execution. Behnoud was convicted of beating to death a 19-year-old man, known only as Ehsan, with a bottle during a street fight in 2005. At the time of the murder, Behnoud was aged about 17. To execute him would be a violation of international law. Behnoud was sentenced to qesas (retribution) by a court in Tehran, and his sentence was upheld by the Supreme
Court. According to the Iranian news agency Fars, Ehsan’s family is demanding that Behnoud be executed. However, the case has been referred to conciliation in order to allow both families to negotiate the payment of diyeh (blood money) in exchange for pardoning Behnoud.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
As a state party to both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on
the Rights of the Child (CRC), Iran has undertaken not to execute child offenders, those convicted of crimes
committed when they were under 18. However, since 1990, Iran has executed at least 28 child offenders, six of
them in 2007. At least 79 child offenders are now 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 executions of child offenders in Iran, please see: Iran: The last executioner of children (June
2007), http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engmde130592007
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
– expressing concern that Behnoud is at risk of execution for a crime committed when he was under 18;
– calling on the authorities to commute his death sentence;
– reminding them that Iran is a state party to both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which prohibits the use of the death penalty against those
under the age of 18 at the time of offense, and that the execution of Behnoud would therefore be a violation of
international law;
– urging the authorities to pass legislation to abolish the death penalty for offenses committed by persons under the
age of 18, so bringing Iran’s domestic law in 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 offenses, but unconditionally opposes the death penalty.
Amnesty International’s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.
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@leader.ir Salutation: Your Excellency Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran Email: info@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@president.ir via website: www.president.ir/email
Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary) Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran Fax: 011 98 21 3390 4986 (Please keep trying) Email: fsharafi@bia-judiciary.ir (In the subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani) int_aff@judiciary.ir (In the subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani) PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 20 February 2008.