Germany Calls for End to Death Penalty in Iran
Germany’s human rights commissioner condemned the execution of a defendant in Iran who committed murder at age 15, calling the Islamic Republic’s action an unacceptable violation of international law.
According to Reuters news agency, Barbel Kofler said on Wednesday, February 1st, in protest of the execution of Ali Kazemi, that the defendant’s lawyer was not even informed of his client’s execution.
Ali Kazemi, who was 22 years old at the time of execution, was accused of killing another young man during a group altercation. His execution drew a strong reaction from Amnesty International, which described it as “extraordinarily cruel.”
Amnesty International emphasizes that Ali Kazemi’s execution is a complete violation of children’s rights as stipulated in international law, which prohibits death sentences for those who committed crimes before age 18.
Meanwhile, Germany’s human rights commissioner has asked Tehran to halt the execution of 27-year-old Hamid Ahmadi, who is said to have committed the crime at age 17.
Barbel Kofler noted that there are doubts about the legal process of Mr. Ahmadi’s case and it is unclear whether his trial was conducted according to legal standards.
Hamid Ahmadi is also accused of murder. He was sentenced to death approximately 9 years ago, and his sentence was upheld last year. The report states that Hamid Ahmadi’s execution could happen at any moment. However, Germany’s human rights commissioner insists that “the death penalty policy must be stopped.”
In her statement, it is stated that these executions are a direct violation of United Nations conventions on children’s rights and international human rights treaties that Iran has also signed.
Furthermore, Federica Mogherini, head of foreign policy for the European Union, also considered Kazemi’s execution contrary to Iran’s international commitments and said in a statement presented by her spokesman: “The European Union has opposed the death penalty under any circumstances and calls for its abolition worldwide.”
Source: Radio Farda
