IRAN: REGARDING EXECUTIONS OF 3 CHILD OFFENDERS

Amnesty International urges Iranian authorities to prevent the execution of three child offenders and join the worldwide trend towards abolition of the death penalty. Amnesty International is deeply concerned at reports that three child offenders face imminent execution in Iran, in clear contravention of international law. The death sentence for murder imposed on Ali Mahin Torabi, for a crime he allegedly committed at the age of 16, has been approved by the Head of the Judiciary and he may be executed within days. Similar sentences imposed on two other child offenders are reportedly before the Head of the J udiciary for approval. More than 70 other child offenders remain on death row in Iran. Executions of child offenders contravenes customary international law and Iran's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.