{"id":3044126,"date":"2008-04-24T18:58:08","date_gmt":"2008-04-24T11:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/?p=3044126"},"modified":"2023-04-13T05:18:11","modified_gmt":"2023-04-13T05:18:11","slug":"urgent-call-hossein-haghi-facing-execution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stopchildexecutions.com\/scenewsarchive\/2008\/04\/24\/urgent-call-hossein-haghi-facing-execution\/","title":{"rendered":"URGENT CALL: Hossein Haghi facing execution"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL <\/p>\n

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13\/056\/2008<\/font><\/b>
\n23 April 2008<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

UA 107\/08<\/font><\/b> Death penalty<\/font><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

IRAN Hossein Haghi (m), aged 21, child offender<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

Hossein Haghi is facing execution for a murder committed when he was 16 years old, even though Iran is a state party to international treaties including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which expressly prohibit the execution of child offenders.<\/font><\/p>\n

On 12 August 2003, Hossein Haghi, then aged 16, and his friend, known as Amrollah T, intervened to stop a fight between a friend of theirs and another boy, Mehdi Khalili. A number of others were also involved in the fight. According to his testimony, Hossein Haghi was held from behind, and Mehdi Khalili started hitting him. Hossein Haghi was able to free his hands, and retrieved a knife from his pocket to defend himself. Mehdi Khalili was killed by a knife wound to the chest. Upon his arrest, Hossein Haghi admitted to holding a knife and striking Mehdi Khalili to scare him away. However during his trial, Hossein Haghi denied stabbing Mehdi Khalili to death.<\/font><\/p>\n

On 8 February 2004 Hossein Haghi was sentenced to<\/font> qesas<\/font><\/i> (retribution) by Branch 74 of the Criminal Court. Based on his initial confessions he was found guilty of premeditated murder under Article 206 (b) of Iran\u2019s Criminal Code which states: \u201cMurder is classed as premeditated in cases where the murderer intentionally makes an action which is inherently lethal, even if [the murderer] does not intend to kill the person.\u201d On 25 June 2004, the Supreme Court upheld his sentence. Hossein Haghi\u2018s defence lawyer lodged a petition demanding a review of the case. Though the petition was rejected, the case was re-examined, and has now been referred to Branch 33 of the Supreme Court by the Head of the Judiciary.
<\/font><\/p>\n

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nAs 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, those convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18. However, since 1990 Iran has executed at least 28 child offenders, six of them in 2007. At least 80 child offenders are now on death row in Iran. This number may be even higher as at least a further 15 Afghan child offenders have reportedly been sentenced to death. For more information about executions of child offenders in Iran, please see:<\/font> Iran: The last executioner of children<\/font><\/i> (MDE 13\/059\/2007, June 2007),<\/font> http:\/\/web.amnesty.org\/library\/index\/engmde130592007<\/font><\/u><\/a>.<\/font><\/u><\/p>\n

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases, and supports the global trend away from the use of the death penalty, powerfully expressed in the UN General Assembly\u2019s resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on executions on 18 December 2007.<\/font><\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Arabic, English or your own language:<\/font><\/b>
\n– calling on the authorities to commute the death sentence of Hossein Haghi, who is at risk of execution for a crime committed when he was under 18;<\/font>
\n– reminding them that Iran is a state party to both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which prohibits the use of the death penalty against those under the age of 18 at the time of offence, and that the execution of Hossein Haghi 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 people<\/font> under the age of 18, so bringing Iran\u2019s domestic law in 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:<\/font><\/b>
\nLeader of the Islamic Republic<\/font><\/u>
\nHis Excellency Ayatollah Sayed \u2018Ali Khamenei<\/font>
\nThe Office of the Supreme Leader
\nIslamic Republic Street – Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
\nTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
<\/font>Email: info@leader.ir<\/font><\/b>
<\/font>Salutation: Your Excellency<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

Head of the Judiciary<\/font><\/u>
\nAyatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi<\/font>
\nHowzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh \/ Office of the Head of the Judiciary<\/font>
\nPasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nEmail: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)<\/font><\/b>
\nSalutation: Your Excellency<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

COPIES TO:<\/font><\/b>
\nPresident<\/font><\/u>
\nHis Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad<\/font>
\nThe Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran<\/font>
\nEmail:<\/font><\/b> dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir<\/font><\/u><\/b><\/a> OR via website: www.president.ir\/email<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

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

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.<\/font><\/b> Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 June 2008.<\/font><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL <\/p>\n

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13\/056\/2008<\/font><\/b>
\n23 April 2008<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

UA 107\/08<\/font><\/b> Death penalty<\/font><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

IRAN Hossein Haghi (m), aged 21, child offender<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

Hossein Haghi is facing execution for a murder committed when he was 16 years old, even though Iran is a state party to international treaties including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which expressly prohibit the execution of child offenders.<\/font><\/p>\n

On 12 August 2003, Hossein Haghi, then aged 16, and his friend, known as Amrollah T, intervened to stop a fight between a friend of theirs and another boy, Mehdi Khalili. A number of others were also involved in the fight. According to his testimony, Hossein Haghi was held from behind, and Mehdi Khalili started hitting him. Hossein Haghi was able to free his hands, and retrieved a knife from his pocket to defend himself. Mehdi Khalili was killed by a knife wound to the chest. Upon his arrest, Hossein Haghi admitted to holding a knife and striking Mehdi Khalili to scare him away. However during his trial, Hossein Haghi denied stabbing Mehdi Khalili to death.<\/font><\/p>\n

On 8 February 2004 Hossein Haghi was sentenced to<\/font> qesas<\/font><\/i> (retribution) by Branch 74 of the Criminal Court. Based on his initial confessions he was found guilty of premeditated murder under Article 206 (b) of Iran\u2019s Criminal Code which states: \u201cMurder is classed as premeditated in cases where the murderer intentionally makes an action which is inherently lethal, even if [the murderer] does not intend to kill the person.\u201d On 25 June 2004, the Supreme Court upheld his sentence. Hossein Haghi\u2018s defence lawyer lodged a petition demanding a review of the case. Though the petition was rejected, the case was re-examined, and has now been referred to Branch 33 of the Supreme Court by the Head of the Judiciary.
<\/font><\/p>\n

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
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