EU urges Iran to stop death sentences

Catherine Ashton

The European Union urged Iran to stop three death sentences, including one death by stoning of a woman accused of adultery.

Catherine Ashton, head of EU foreign relations issued a statement expressing “deep concern” regarding reports of imminent executions in Iran.

AFP reports that Mohammadreza Haddadi, who was a minor when he was convicted of murder, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani who is reportedly in the imminent danger of death by stoning charged with adultery are Ashton’s immediate concerns.

Ashton also repeated her appeal to Iran on behalf of Zinat Jalalian, Iranian Kurd sentenced to death for the so-called charge of “enmity with God.”

Ashton urged Iran to stop and commute these sentences. She especially condemned the method of death by stoning as "a particularly cruel method of execution which amounts to torture."

She emphasized that the death sentences of Haddadi and Ashtiani are clear violations of Iran’s international commitments to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Ashton called on Iran to consider a legal time span for these executions.

Iran claims that these punishments are necessary to maintain its national security and such sentences are only issued after a legal and comprehensive procedure.

Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug smuggling and adultery can receive the death penalty in Iran.