UN criticizes Iranian executions of juvenile offenders
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 26 June 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, UN criticizes Iranian executions of juvenile offenders, 26 June 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53ce2fff5.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 26, 2014
By RFE/RL
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay
The UN's high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, has spoken out against the large number of executions in Iran, specifically mentioning the planned execution of a minor in the Islamic republic.
In a June 26 statement, Pillay brought up the case of Razieh Ebrahimi, who was convicted of killing her husband when she was 17 years old.
Pillay noted Ebrahimi was married off when she was 14, gave birth to a child when she was 15, and – after being subjected to domestic violence – reportedly killed her husband.
"Regardless of the circumstances of the crime, the execution of juvenile offenders is clearly prohibited by international human rights law," she said.
The UN says it has reliable sources that say some 160 people are on death row for crimes they committed when they were under the age of 18.
More than 250 people are believed to have been executed in Iran so far this year.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
