UPDATE: Iran due to execute child offender

In November we asked you to take action on behalf of Saman Naseem – a young Iranian man sentenced to death for offences allegedly committed when he was just 17 years old. It now appears that Saman could be executed as early as this Thursday.

If Iran goes ahead with Saman's execution it will be breaking its obligations under international law. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which have both been ratified by Iran, strictly prohibit the execution of juvenile offenders – those convicted of crimes committed when they were below 18 years old.

In addition, claims of torture and ill-treatment suggest that Saman's trial was unfair and illegal. In comments made to Amnesty International Saman has revealed how he was subject to mental and physical torture for 97 days and forced to sign false confessions. Read Saman's account of his ordeal.

Take action

Time is running out but if we act fast there is still a chance to stop this execution. Take action now to put pressure on the Iranian authorities and let them know that the international community is watching them.

The quickest way to make yourself heard is to send a tweet calling on Iran to #SaveSaman and halt Saman Naseem's execution:

Tweet to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei: @Khamenei_ir

Tweet to the President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani: @HassanRouhani

For more information on Saman's case and addresses for letter-writing see the attached case file, below.