Statement by the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the imminent execution of Bahman Soleimanian in Iran

28.08.2008

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is deeply concerned by the announcement of the imminent execution of Bahman Soleimanian, sentenced to death in Iran despite his being a minor at the time the offence with which he was charged was committed. It urges Iran to respect the international human rights conventions that it freely ratified and that prohibit the execution of minors by ensuring with immediate effect that its legislation and practices comply with them.

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is particularly concerned about the high number of individuals executed in Iran this year who were minors at the time the offences of which they were accused were committed. It strongly condemns the execution of Behnam Zare on 26 August, whose family and lawyer were not notified in advance. This decision brings the number of these executions to six this year.

The Presidency once again urges Iran to commute the death sentences of the dozens of minors awaiting execution.