Amnesty International Protests 'Cruel' Execution of a Defendant in Adolescence

Amnesty International has strongly protested the execution of Ali Kazemi, a defendant who committed murder at the age of 15, describing it as an 'extraordinarily cruel' act. According to the organization, Ali Kazemi was executed on January 30 in Bushehr. Amnesty International issued a statement regarding Mr. Kazemi's execution on the same day, stating that the death sentence was carried out that day. Ali Kazemi was accused of killing another man during a knife fight at the age of 15. He was subsequently sentenced to death, and this sentence was executed on Tuesday when he was 22 years old. Amnesty International states that 'this sentence was executed contrary to Iranian laws; without the lawyer of Ali Kazemi being informed.' Magdalena Mughrabi, from the Middle East and North Africa section of Amnesty International, said, 'With this unlawful execution, Iran shows that it wants to maintain its shameful position as one of the main countries executing defendants in adolescence.' Ms. Mughrabi emphasized that the execution of Mr. Kazemi 'is a complete violation of children's rights, which is also emphasized in international laws; laws that unequivocally call for refraining from executing those who committed a crime under the age of 18.' According to Amnesty International, the Iranian judiciary and the Islamic Consultative Assembly must take actions that specifically prevent the execution of such sentences. Magdalena Mughrabi stated that it is the duty of the head of the judiciary to intervene and officially prohibit the execution of such sentences. The Islamic Consultative Assembly must also legally prevent the execution of defendants who committed crimes under the age of 18. Amnesty International also reported that the family members of Ali Kazemi 'have suffered and endured pain due to contradictory announcements regarding the timing and execution of the death sentence.' Iranian judicial authorities have not yet reacted to Amnesty International's statement. Iran is among the few countries where death sentences for juvenile offenders are still issued and executed after they turn 18. International laws explicitly call on countries worldwide to refrain from issuing death sentences for individuals under 18. Amnesty International is fundamentally opposed to the death penalty at any age and for any crime. The organization has called on all countries to abolish the death penalty altogether. Despite all these requests and international protests, reports of the execution of juvenile offenders in Iran continue to emerge.