{"id":2404899,"date":"2007-12-11T20:19:24","date_gmt":"2007-12-11T13:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/?p=2404899"},"modified":"2023-04-13T05:20:28","modified_gmt":"2023-04-13T05:20:28","slug":"amnesty-international-issues-urgent-call-to-save-ali-mahin-torabi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/2007\/12\/11\/amnesty-international-issues-urgent-call-to-save-ali-mahin-torabi\/","title":{"rendered":"Amnesty International issues urgent call to save Ali Mahin-Torabi"},"content":{"rendered":"
Following SCE’s communication with Amnesty International on the possible execution of Ali Mahin-Torabi, today they issued a worldwide urgent report:<\/p>\n

\nPUBLIC                AI Index: MDE 13\/146\/2007        <\/b><\/font>
\n                11 December 2007<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

Further Information on UA 263\/07 (MDE 13\/116\/2007, 16 October 2007)<\/b><\/font> Death penalty\/<\/u><\/b><\/font> Fear of imminent execution \/ unfair trial concern<\/u><\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

IRAN                Ali Mahin Torabi<\/b><\/font> (m) aged 21<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

Ali Mahin Torabi may be executed in the next few days, although he is a child offender who was convicted of a murder committed when he was 16 years old. Reports suggest that the Office for the Implementation of Sentences is deciding when his execution will take place, although his lawyer has not yet received the 48-hour advance notice of execution required by law.<\/font><\/p>\n

Ali Mahin Torabi was detained on 3 February 2003 in connection with a playground fight which resulted in the fatal stabbing of a schoolmate named Mazdak Khodadian. At the time, Ali Mahin Torabi repeatedly stated that he had not intended to stab Mazdak Khodadian, and only realized that the latter was injured when he heard shouting from children who had gathered around them.  <\/font><\/p>\n

Under Article 206 (b) of Iran\u2019s Criminal Code, murder is classed as premeditated \u201cin cases where the murderer intentionally makes an action which is inherently lethal, even if [the murderer] does not intend to kill the person.\u201d Ali Mahin Torabi was sentenced to qesas<\/i> (retribution) on 8 February 2003 by Branch 33 of the Public Court for the Investigation of Juvenile Crimes Offences in Karaj. Later, the Head of the Judiciary reportedly ordered that the case be resolved through arbitration. However, although the mother of the deceased is believed to have accepted in principal the payment of diyeh<\/i> (blood money) in return for pardoning Ali Mahin Torabi, Mazdak Khodadian\u2019s father reportedly rejected efforts by a judicial mediation body to resolve the case, and has called for the execution to proceed.  <\/font><\/p>\n

BACKGROUND INFORMATION<\/b><\/font>
\nInternational law strictly prohibits the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18. As a state party to both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Iran has undertaken not to execute child offenders. However, since 1990, Iran has executed at least 28 child offenders, including six so far this year. At least 76 child offenders are currently on death row in Iran. This number may be even higher as according to reports, at least a further 15 Afghan child offenders may be under sentence of death.<\/font><\/p>\n

The legal proceedings in Ali Mahin Torabi\u2019s case, like those of other child offenders facing the death penalty, may have been flawed. As well as noting that Iran is flouting international law by sentencing child offenders to death, Amnesty International is concerned about the use of evidence in these cases, including that of expert witnesses, where relevant, in trials, and relevant circumstantial evidence.<\/font><\/p>\n

Most recently, child offender Makwan Moloudzadeh was executed on 4 December 2007. He had been sentenced to death in July 2007 for lavat-e iqabi<\/i> (anal sex) in connection with the alleged rape of three boys in about 1999, when he was aged 13, please see: Execution of child offender Makwan Moloudazdeh is a mockery of<\/i> justice<\/i>, MDE 13\/141\/2007, 6 December 2007:http:\/\/web.amnesty.org\/library\/Index\/ENGMDE131412007?open&of=ENG-IRN).<\/font><\/p>\n

For more information about Amnesty International’s concerns regarding executions of child offenders in Iran, please see: Iran: The last executioner of children<\/i> (MDE 13\/059\/2007, June 2007)<\/font>
\nhttp:\/\/web.amnesty.org\/library\/index\/engmde130592007<\/u><\/font><\/a><\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED ACTION:<\/b> Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:<\/b><\/font>
\n– calling on the Iranian authorities to immediately halt the execution of Ali Mahin Torabi;<\/font>
\n– expressing concern that Ali Mahin Torabi was sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was under 18;<\/font>
\n– urging the Head of the Judiciary to investigate the procedures followed in this case from the investigation through to its confirmation by the Supreme Court;<\/font>
\n– calling for the death sentence against Ali Mahin Torabi to be commuted;<\/font>
\n– reminding the authorities that Iran is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibit the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18, and that the execution of Ali Mahin Torabi would therefore be a violation of international law;<\/font>
\n– urging the authorities to pass legislation to abolish the death penalty for offences committed by anyone under the age of 18, so as to bring Iran\u2019s domestic law into line with its obligations under international law;<\/font>
\n– stating that Amnesty International acknowledges the right and responsibility of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but unconditionally opposes the death penalty.<\/font><\/p>\n

APPEALS TO:<\/b><\/font>
\nHead of the Judiciary<\/u><\/font>
\nHis Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi<\/font>
\nMinistry of Justice, Panzdah Khordad (Ark) Square,<\/font>
\nTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nSalutation:                Your Excellency<\/b><\/font>
\nEmail:                info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)<\/b><\/font>
\nFax:                +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying, if the called is answered, say “fax please”)<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

Leader of the Islamic Republic<\/u><\/font>
\nHis Excellency Ayatollah Sayed \u2018Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader<\/font>
\nIslamic Republic Street – Shahid Keshvar Doust Street<\/font>
\nTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nEmail:         info@leader.ir<\/b><\/font>
\nSalutation:         Your Excellency<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

COPIES TO:<\/b><\/font>
\nPresident<\/u><\/font>
\nHis Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad<\/font>
\nThe Presidency<\/font>
\nPalestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection<\/font>
\nTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nFax:                 + 98 21 6 649 5880<\/b><\/font>
\nEmail:                 dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir<\/b><\/font>
\nE-mail:                via website:<\/b> http:\/\/www.president.ir\/email\/<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran<\/u><\/font>
\nHis Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani<\/font>
\nC\/o Office of the Deputy for International Affairs<\/font>
\nMinistry of Justice,<\/font>
\nMinistry of Justice Building, Panzdah-Khordad (Ark) Square,<\/font>
\nTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nFax:                 + 98 21 5 537 8827 (please keep trying)<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.<\/font><\/p>\n

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Following SCE’s communication with Amnesty International on the possible execution of Ali Mahin-Torabi, today they issued a worldwide urgent report:<\/p>\n

\nPUBLIC                AI Index: MDE 13\/146\/2007        <\/b><\/font>
\n                11 December 2007<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

Further Information on UA 263\/07 (MDE 13\/116\/2007, 16 October 2007)<\/b><\/font> Death penalty\/<\/u><\/b><\/font> Fear of imminent execution \/ unfair trial concern<\/u><\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

IRAN                Ali Mahin Torabi<\/b><\/font> (m) aged 21<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

Ali Mahin Torabi may be executed in the next few days, although he is a child offender who was convicted of a murder committed when he was 16 years old. Reports suggest that the Office for the Implementation of Sentences is deciding when his execution will take place, although his lawyer has not yet received the 48-hour advance notice of execution required by law.<\/font><\/p>\n

Ali Mahin Torabi was detained on 3 February 2003 in connection with a playground fight which resulted in the fatal stabbing of a schoolmate named Mazdak Khodadian. At the time, Ali Mahin Torabi repeatedly stated that he had not intended to stab Mazdak Khodadian, and only realized that the latter was injured when he heard shouting from children who had gathered around them.  <\/font><\/p>\n

Under Article 206 (b) of Iran\u2019s Criminal Code, murder is classed as premeditated \u201cin cases where the murderer intentionally makes an action which is inherently lethal, even if [the murderer] does not intend to kill the person.\u201d Ali Mahin Torabi was sentenced to qesas<\/i> (retribution) on 8 February 2003 by Branch 33 of the Public Court for the Investigation of Juvenile Crimes Offences in Karaj. Later, the Head of the Judiciary reportedly ordered that the case be resolved through arbitration. However, although the mother of the deceased is believed to have accepted in principal the payment of diyeh<\/i> (blood money) in return for pardoning Ali Mahin Torabi, Mazdak Khodadian\u2019s father reportedly rejected efforts by a judicial mediation body to resolve the case, and has called for the execution to proceed.  <\/font><\/p>\n

BACKGROUND INFORMATION<\/b><\/font>
\nInternational law strictly prohibits the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18. As a state party to both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Iran has undertaken not to execute child offenders. However, since 1990, Iran has executed at least 28 child offenders, including six so far this year. At least 76 child offenders are currently on death row in Iran. This number may be even higher as according to reports, at least a further 15 Afghan child offenders may be under sentence of death.<\/font><\/p>\n

The legal proceedings in Ali Mahin Torabi\u2019s case, like those of other child offenders facing the death penalty, may have been flawed. As well as noting that Iran is flouting international law by sentencing child offenders to death, Amnesty International is concerned about the use of evidence in these cases, including that of expert witnesses, where relevant, in trials, and relevant circumstantial evidence.<\/font><\/p>\n

Most recently, child offender Makwan Moloudzadeh was executed on 4 December 2007. He had been sentenced to death in July 2007 for lavat-e iqabi<\/i> (anal sex) in connection with the alleged rape of three boys in about 1999, when he was aged 13, please see: Execution of child offender Makwan Moloudazdeh is a mockery of<\/i> justice<\/i>, MDE 13\/141\/2007, 6 December 2007:http:\/\/web.amnesty.org\/library\/Index\/ENGMDE131412007?open&of=ENG-IRN).<\/font><\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED ACTION:<\/b> Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:<\/b><\/font>
\n– calling on the Iranian authorities to immediately halt the execution of Ali Mahin Torabi;<\/font>
\n– expressing concern that Ali Mahin Torabi was sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was under 18;<\/font>
\n– urging the Head of the Judiciary to investigate the procedures followed in this case from the investigation through to its confirmation by the Supreme Court;<\/font>
\n– calling for the death sentence against Ali Mahin Torabi to be commuted;<\/font>
\n– reminding the authorities that Iran is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibit the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18, and that the execution of Ali Mahin Torabi would therefore be a violation of international law;<\/font>
\n– urging the authorities to pass legislation to abolish the death penalty for offences committed by anyone under the age of 18, so as to bring Iran\u2019s domestic law into line with its obligations under international law;<\/font>
\n– stating that Amnesty International acknowledges the right and responsibility of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but unconditionally opposes the death penalty.<\/font><\/p>\n

APPEALS TO:<\/b><\/font>
\nHead of the Judiciary<\/u><\/font>
\nHis Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi<\/font>
\nMinistry of Justice, Panzdah Khordad (Ark) Square,<\/font>
\nTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nSalutation:                Your Excellency<\/b><\/font>
\nEmail:                info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)<\/b><\/font>
\nFax:                +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying, if the called is answered, say “fax please”)<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

Leader of the Islamic Republic<\/u><\/font>
\nHis Excellency Ayatollah Sayed \u2018Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader<\/font>
\nIslamic Republic Street – Shahid Keshvar Doust Street<\/font>
\nTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nEmail:         info@leader.ir<\/b><\/font>
\nSalutation:         Your Excellency<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

COPIES TO:<\/b><\/font>
\nPresident<\/u><\/font>
\nHis Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad<\/font>
\nThe Presidency<\/font>
\nPalestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection<\/font>
\nTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nFax:                 + 98 21 6 649 5880<\/b><\/font>
\nEmail:                 dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir<\/b><\/font>
\nE-mail:                via website:<\/b> http:\/\/www.president.ir\/email\/<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran<\/u><\/font>
\nHis Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani<\/font>
\nC\/o Office of the Deputy for International Affairs<\/font>
\nMinistry of Justice,<\/font>
\nMinistry of Justice Building, Panzdah-Khordad (Ark) Square,<\/font>
\nTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nFax:                 + 98 21 5 537 8827 (please keep trying)<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.<\/font><\/p>\n

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.<\/b><\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[39,9,13,10],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2404899"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2404899"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2404899\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5196100,"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2404899\/revisions\/5196100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2404899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2404899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2404899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

For more information about Amnesty International’s concerns regarding executions of child offenders in Iran, please see: Iran: The last executioner of children<\/i> (MDE 13\/059\/2007, June 2007)<\/font>
\nhttp:\/\/web.amnesty.org\/library\/index\/engmde130592007<\/u><\/font><\/a><\/p>\n