Distress Over Iran Executions
- February 5th, 2011
- Posted by EUEditor
The European Union has objected to an “alarming rate†of state executions in Iran including “abhorrent practicesâ€.
Its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, (3.2.11) called on Iran to halt all pending executions immediately and declare a moratorium on use of the death penalty.
“Executions are taking place at an alarming rateâ€, she said.
“In addition, abhorrent practices such as public executions and suspension hanging continue to be used, in contravention of Iran’s international obligations.”
The Commissioner said there had been a steep increase in executions this year, including the deaths of eleven people recently.
Among those was a Dutch-Iranian national, Zahra Bahrami, executed at Tehran 29.1.11.
“I am dismayed that the Iranian authorities denied consular access to Ms Bahrami and did not ensure a transparent and fair judicial processâ€, she said.
A statement from the European Union says that it is opposed to capital punishment under all circumstances in all countries, and aims at its universal abolition, seeking a global moratorium as a first step.
Reference
EU, “EU’s High Representative condemns wave of executions …â€, EU Delegation to Australia, 4.2.11. http://www.delaus.ec.europa.eu/, (5.2.11).