Region | Iran
UN criticises Iran for executing youth offenders
The United Nations criticised Iran on Tuesday for executing juvenile offenders for crimes committed when they were as young as 15.
- AP
- Published: 17:46 September 2, 2008
Geneva: The United Nations criticised Iran on Tuesday for executing juvenile offenders for crimes committed when they were as young as 15.
It was the first public denunciation by the UN's human rights department since Navi Pillay, the new high commissioner for human rights, took office.
Her spokesman said the global body is "very concerned and saddened at reports from the Islamic Republic of Iran concerning the recent execution of two juvenile offenders."
Pillay's spokesman, Rupert Colville, identified Reza Hedjazi and Benham Zaare as two youths executed by Iranian authorities last month.
He said Hedjazi was believed to be 15 at the time of his alleged crime, and Zaare one year older.
"These executions appear to be in clear violation of international law," he told reporters, adding that there is an "absolute prohibition" against the death penalty for minors.
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