Iran: don't execute Salar, juvenile offender

By Lisa Incledon, Children's Human Rights Network

Salar Shadizadi was just fifteen years old when he was charged with the murder of a friend and sentenced to death. He was detained by the Iranian authorities, denied access to a lawyer and says he was tortured while the case was being investigated.

Despite appeals, his death sentence has been twice upheld by the Supreme Court which has failed to adequately address the question of Salar's mental maturity at the time of the crime.

In upholding Salar's death sentence Iran is violating its obligations under international human rights law, which make it illegal to execute someone who was under 18 at the time of their alleged crime.

An immediate risk

After eight years on death row Salar is now at imminent risk of execution. He was scheduled to be executed on 10 August but this has been postponed with no new date confirmed. His lawyers have filed an application for judicial review with the Supreme Court.

Iran has a track record of executing juvenile offenders. At least 72 are believed to have been executed in Iran between 2005 and 2014 and at least 160 juvenile offenders are thought to be on death row.

We have highlighted an alarming rise in the number of executions Iran has carried out in 2015 – placing it well out of step with the rest of the world.

Act now

Don't let Salar Shadizadi join these numbers, act now to let Iran know the international community is watching.

Please write immediately in Persian, English, Spanish, French or your own language:

• Urging the Iranian authorities to immediately halt the execution of Salar Shadizadi and ensure that his death sentence is quashed and he is granted a retrial that complies with international fair trial standards, without recourse to the death penalty;
• Reminding them that Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which strictly prohibit the use of the death penalty for crimes committed by persons below the age of 18;
• Calling on them to investigate the allegations that Salar Shadizadi was tortured or otherwise ill-treated and bring those responsible to justice.

Please send appeals before 6 October 2015 to:

Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid
Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Twitter: @khamenei_ir (English) pr @Khamenei_es (Spanish)

Salutation: Your Excellency

Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
c/o Public Relations Office
Number 4, Deadend of 1 Azizi
Above Pasteur Intersection
Vali Asr Streent
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Email: info@humanrights-iran.ir

Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to:

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Hassan Rouhani
The Presidency
Pasteur Street, Pasteur Square
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Twitter: @HassanRouhani (English) and @Rouhani_ir (Persian)