Iran: European Commissioners’ Tehran visit must rail against skyrocketing use of the death penalty

People take part in a demonstration denouncing Iran’s use of the death penalty on January 28, 2016 in Paris. ©DOMINIQUE FAGET/AFP/Getty Images

The European delegation’s trip must show Iran that renewed relations between the EU and Tehran hinge on the respect and protection of human rights in the country – not merely on what business opportunities are available.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

NEWSFLASH

Brussels – 16 April 2016

European Commissioners visiting Iran as part of a high-level delegation this weekend must take a decisive stand against the continued and prolific use of the death penalty in the country, particularly against juvenile offenders, said Amnesty International.

“As Iran continues to ramp up executions year on year, Federica Mogherini and other European Commissioners must use this weekend’s trip to condemn outright the mushrooming use of the death penalty in the country,” said Iverna McGowan, Head of the Amnesty International European Institutions Office.

“Despite repeated calls to end this barbaric practice, especially against offenders who were children or youths when convicted, Iran continues to brazenly wield the death penalty and break international law with impunity – executing 977 people in 2015 alone.”

“The welcoming of Iran in from the political and economic cold earlier this year is a pivotal opportunity to prompt Iranian President Hassan Rouhani into bringing in long overdue legal changes and reforms that protect and promote human rights.”

“The European delegation’s trip must show Iran that renewed relations between the EU and Tehran hinge on the respect and protection of human rights in the country – not merely on what business opportunities are available.”

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