Child Execution in Islamic Republic of Iran

[espandyar]

Dec 22, 2004,

Children are the most vulnerable members of our society. They depend on us for support, security, and all other necessities of life until they are old and mature enough to be able to take care of themselves. Unfortunately, we live in a world where children are not only unprotected and defenseless but are also thrown at the mercy of those who systematically and deliberately hurt them.

One of those places where children's rights are constantly being violated is in Islamic republic (of Iran). Regrettably, the Islamic Regime of Iran (IRI) is one of the most brutal in the world and it does not stop at suppressing political dissent by torture, imprisonment, disappearances and mass executions, but it also has no respect for the most vulnerable members of it society - the children.

In the past year the IRI has committed heinous violations of the rights of the children in Iran. The cases that will be discussed in this article are only a few of the most well known cases by the international community. Unfortunately, the IRI has many many more victims some of whom are nameless and will only be remembered by their own families.

One of the most recent cases of child abuse by the IRI is the case of Leyla M, an 18 year-old girl with the mental age of an 8 year-old child who is facing imminent execution and flogging for committing crimes against morality. She was sentenced on November 28th in the city of Arak and her sentence has been sent to the Supreme Court for confirmation. According to Amnesty international reports, she has been charged with running a brothel, having intercourse with a blood relative, and for having an illegitimate child. She is to be flogged before her execution. It is important to note that there was no appeal process to her care and she was never examined by a psychiatrist during the trial even though her mental deficiencies are well known. Also, her mom who has reportedly forced her into prostitution since the age of 8 and the blood relative she has been accused of having intercourse with, have not been charged.


Another recent victim of the IRI was Kaveh Habibi Nejad, a 14 year-old boy that was flogged to death on November 12. Kaveh was sentenced to 85 lashes for eating in public during the holy month of Ramadan. It is believed that he died because the metal cable being used to flog him hit his head.

The list of children who have been victims of torture and murder at the hands of IRI is growing. On August 24, 2004 Ateqeh Rajabi, a 16 year old girl, was hanged for acts incompatible with chastity. According to Amnesty International the execution was carried out even though there were reports that Ateqeh was not mentally competent and she did not have access to a lawyer at any time during her trial. According to Amnesty International, the execution of Ateqeh is the tenth execution of a child offender in Iran since 1990.

Currently, Hajieh Esmailvand is in imminent risk of being executed and her execution is to be carried out on December 21st despite international outrage. Hajieh was only 17 when she was convicted of crimes against chastity. She was sentenced to 5-years imprisonment followed by execution by hanging. That sentence was subsequently changed to execution by stoning that may be carried out at any moment.


By condemning children to death the IRI has shown once again that they have no respect or regard for their international obligations. Iran is a party to the International Convention on Civil and Political rights as well as the UN Convention on Children's Rights. As a part to the International Convention on Civil and Political rights Islamic Republic has undertaken not to execute anyone under the age of 18. Being a member of the UN Convention on ChildrenÂ’s rights Islamic Republic has taken on the international obligation to protect the rights of children. Instead, the IRI has done nothing but violate its international obligations and abuse the most helpless and vulnerable members of its society.

Marzeporgohar is appalled with this heinous violation of international law. The IRI has shown time and again that it has no respect for laws related to freedom, democracy, and human rights. Therefore, we are not surprised that they would murder so many children within such a short time, in the face of such great international opposition.

Once again we urge the international community to condemn these barbaric acts and to show their disgust towards the abuse of the rights of children by ending diplomatic relations and levying heavy sanctions. It is time that the international community stands up for human rights in Islamic Republic and defends the rights of humans who are helpless at the hands of the IRI.


We sincerely hope that the international community will join us in our fight against the IRI to establish a secular democracy and in support of rights of the victims who cannot defend their own rights while IRI is in power.





Setareh Kaviyan
Member of Marze Por Gohar Party
Iranians for a secular Republic
www.marzeporgohar.org