EU reminds Iran of moratorium on executions

IRNA:

Tehran, July 26, IRNA

European Union on Tuesday expressed concern over reports of executions of two youths in Mashhad on July 19.

EU said in statement faxed to IRNA by British Embassy in Tehran that one of the youths, Mahmoud Asgari, was aged under 18 at both the time of the crime and the execution.

"The EU recalls its long held position that capital punishment may not, in any circumstances, be imposed on persons below 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the crime. Such punishment is in direct contravention of Iran's obligations under International Convention of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and also the Convention of the Rights of the Child," it said.

"EU calls on Iran to clarify its position urgently. In October 2004, Iranian government assured the EU that a moratorium was in place on all lashing and executions for crimes committed by those under the age of 18.

"The EU hopes that a law to abolish such punishments will be adopted soon and implemented and until that time, calls for Iranian government to respect the moratorium," said the statement.