The Presidency of the European Union strongly condems the execution by stoning of Mr. Jafar Kihani on 5th of July in the village of Aghche Kand (Qazvin Province) and the imminent execution also by stoning of Mrs. Mokarrameh Ebrahimi.

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EU PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON THE STONING SENTENCES OF MR. JAFAR KIHANI AND MRS. MOKARRAMEH EBRAHIMI

Tuesday, 10 July 2007

The Presidency of the European Union strongly condems the execution by stoning of Mr. Jafar Kihani on 5th of July in the village of Aghche Kand (Qazvin Province) and the imminent execution also by stoning of Mrs. Mokarrameh Ebrahimi.

The Presidency of the European Union considers the above mentioned sentences and execution a clear violation of the International Covenant of Political and Civil Rights and the Universal Declaration on Human Right, which the Islamic Republic of Iran subscribed and ratified. These sentences also violate the Iranian moratorium in place since 2002 regarding stoning.

The Presidency of the European Union reminds that once Iran approved the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution 3452 (XXX) of 9 December 1975, the Islamic Republic of Iran ought to comply with it.

The EU Member States are deeply worried about the possibility of the execution of Mrs. Mokarrameh Ebrahimi and appeal to the Iranian authorities to respect its international an national commitments and not to enforce the sentence, as the Judiciary only confirms it has been halted and not squashed.

The Presidency appeals to the Islamic Republic of Iran to urgently ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

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