“The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has given high priority to the issue of juvenile execution in dialogue with the Iranian authorities”   Report of the Secretary-General To UN General Assembly on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N08/530/75/PDF/N0853075.pdf?OpenElement

 ”Even those in the Guardian Council and religious hierarchy of Iran who continue to insist that Islam has determined the age of puberty as the age of responsibility to the extent of execution can not deny that not executing juveniles is not in violation of Islam ” David Etebari co-founder of Stop Child Executions  http://scenews.blog.com/4040738

 “Human rights activists won’t give up the fight until execution of under 18 people is abolished altogether in Iran”. Mohammad Mostafaei juvenile attorney , Iran  http://scenews.blog.com/4049109

 ” They do not have the patience to hear the truth because, they don’t want to correct themselves in lieu of their injustices ” Mohammad Mostafaei after his blog was filtered by Iran’s regime http://scenews.blog.com/4056671/

 ”the 16 October statement, which stated that Iran would no longer execute anyone below the age of 18, irrespective of the crime allegedly committed, played with words and was intended to mislead Iranian and international public opinion.” Amnesty International  http://scenews.blog.com/4056826/

 “By raising awareness and pointing everyone to the real nature of Iran’s government; Million signature campaigns for gender equality, Stop Child Executions and others everyday chisel the foundation of the barbaric regime in Iran. These efforts will eventually lead to the collapse of a regime that is a threat to Iranians and the world. But eventually Iran’ solution is a political one by Iranians, with the support of the world, uniting regardless of their differences under the common secular belief of respect for independence, freedom, justice and human rights .” David Etebari , Stop Child Executions co-founder http://scenews.blog.com/4058389/

 ” It’s not being famous that’s important; it’s what you can achieve with fame.” Nazanin Afshin-Jam SCE president in an inteview on Mundo Miss and BC Catholic http://mundomiss.blogspot.com/2008/10/miss-world-canada-fights-death-penalty.html
http://bcc.rcav.org/08-10-27/

“Together, united, with enough pressure and collaboration we will be able to stop putting on band aid solutions; rather we will be able to help empower the Iranian people to gain a democratic system whereby they can chose their own leaders and their own destiny.” Nazanin Afshin-Jam discussing the Wall of Shame rally  http://scenews.blog.com/3970308/

“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

“The larger fold, I hope one day, someday, the Iranian community will unite in a way where we can stand strong under a banner of human rights, democracy, the rule of law, separation between religion and state, but to get there, a few steps have to come before that,” 
Nazanin Afshin-Jam at UN Wall of Shame Rally

“I think a lot of people on the outside don’t know that distinction. They think that Ahmadinejad is the president so naturally he represents the thoughts and the wishes of the people. And the way the government is set up in Iran the electoral process is not a democratic system where you can just vote for whoever you want. The candidates are pre-screened and so you just end up with a handful of people who represent a very extreme side of the political spectrum so you really don’t have a choice. And because Iran is a police-like state, the people they can’t really rise up and speak against the government without fhiacing harsh consequences like torture or execution…so it’s a really difficult position for them. “
from an interview with Nazanin Afshin-Jam

Execution of juvenile offenders is a “blatant violation of international law” and a “flagrant breach of Iran’s international obligations and commitments.” Iran signed two global conventions banning execution for crimes committed before the age of 18, but “unfortunately, the practice is carried out despite Iran’s obligations,”
From the interview of Associated Press with Mohammad Mostafaei attorney of more than 20 Iranian juveniles on the executions row :  http://scenews.blog.com/3902183/

“Iran’s determination to execute juvenile offenders in such large numbers is cruel, barbaric, and earns it a medal of shame…It is time to abolish the death penalty for children in Iran.”  
Hadi Ghaemi, coordinator of the International Campaign for Human Rights
http://scenews.blog.com/3905713/

“Change in Iran will not come through war and bombs; that’s exactly what Ahmadinejad wants. Change will only come from a revolt by the Iranian people, backed by the West, which needs to cry out today on behalf of these children and against Iran’s violation of human rights.”   Nazanin Afshin-Jam at a NY rally on Sep 22, 2008
http://scenews.blog.com/3928266/

“I look out at the streets of New York and see Christians, Buddhists, and Baha’is who all openly display their faith; I see women with heads uncovered and people protesting government policies. In Iran, they would already have been imprisoned, tortured, and executed”  
 Nazanin Afshin-Jam at Wall of Shame Rally NY
http://scenews.blog.com/3928373/

“The only way to address this barbaric evil is to prosecute those who engage in such acts.  The helpless girls who are victims of this deplorable practice are not able to protect themselves.  They cannot withstand the brutal beatings and executions of the very men who should be protecting them and in whom they should be placing their trust.  Only we can protect them from this mentality of hate.  We can do this first by demanding that those guilty of these murderous acts are incarcerated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  We can further protect them by demanding that despicable cowards such as Israr Ullah Zehri are voted out of office so that truly competent leaders can take their places.  And we can protect them by assuring that human rights do not become secondary to the religious fanaticism that rears its ugly head when the rest of the world turns a blind eye.  Only then can we protect the Fatimas, Fauzias and Jannats of the world who are the innocent victims of honor killings, the mentality of hate. ” D.W. Duke, Stop Child Executions Legal Department
http://scenews.blog.com/3915561/