Outrage at execution of Delara Darabi in Iran
On the morning of 1 May, Iranian authorities executed Delara Darabi in Rasht Central Prison. She is the second person to be executed this year after being convicted of a crime she was alleged to have committed while still under 18, Amnesty International revealed.
"Amnesty International is outraged at the execution of Delara Darabi, and particularly at the news that her lawyer was not informed about the execution, despite the legal requirement that he should receive 48 hours' notice. This appears to have been a cynical move on the part of the authorities to avoid domestic and international protests which might have saved Delara Darabi's life," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program.
Delara Darabi was executed despite her having been given a two-month stay of execution by the Head of the Judiciary on 19 April.
"This indicates that even decisions by the Head of the Judiciary carry no weight and are disregarded in the provinces," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
Delara Darabi was convicted of murdering a relative in 2003 when she was 17. She initially confessed to the murder, believing she could save her boyfriend from the gallows, but later retracted her confession. She was detained at Rasht Prison in northern Iran since her arrest in 2003, during which time she developed a significant talent as a painter.
Amnesty International does not consider her trial to have been fair, as the courts later refused to consider new evidence which the lawyer said would have proved she could not have committed the murder.
Amnesty International had campaigned for her life since her case came to light in 2006, urging the Iranian authorities to commute her death sentence and calling for a re-trial in proceedings that meet international standards.
The execution of Delara Darabi brings the number of executions in Iran this year to 140. She is the second woman known to have been executed. Iran has executed at least forty two juvenile offenders since 1990, eight of them in 2008 and one on 21 January 2009, in total disregard of international law, which unequivocally bans the execution of those convicted of crimes committed when under the age of 18.
Comments
Leigh | Posted on 13 May 2009, 09:55PM | Report comment
I am in tears about this young girl’s execution. Sadly, I am not surprised as I have been to Iran and know how difficult it is for Amnesty to have some influence there. We MUST keep trying, even if it is to save more girls in the future.
Lynne | Posted on 12 May 2009, 06:17PM | Report comment
It will take all the people of Iran to make a change and get rid of their corrupt Government/system because with this government’s attitude towards its OWN citizens - it’s just disgusting and inhumane.
The people of Iran would be living their whole lives in dreaded fear “who’s going to be next?”
No truth, No justice and No honour! as seen by the rest of the world.
I agree - SHAME ON YOU IRAN for committing MURDER.
Peter M Ross | Posted on 12 May 2009, 03:09PM | Report comment
Thank you to those who replied to my thoughts. My final observation is that you all seem more optimistic regarding Iran than I am. I have no confidence that Iran will improve their view of humanity in any century soon. After all, what other country would allow a girl to phone her parents from the gallows, then taunt them with their daughter’s imminent death? And this in defiance of a court-awarded stay of execution? I’m sorry Iran, but you just don’t deserve any consideration at all. As for writing to your Embassies…WHY? Hang your head in shame.
Narendra Mohan | Posted on 12 May 2009, 12:42PM | Report comment
I am saddened by the execution. However, we have to realise that Amnety International’s campaigns cannot be substitute for struggle by the Iranian people. AI campaigns can help them and possibly prevent such miscarriage of justice in future.
I suggest that people write to the nearest Iranian embassy protesting the execution of Delara darabi.
Viki | Posted on 12 May 2009, 11:39AM | Report comment
How very sad & tragic. You mention Delara’s painting. It’s reassuring to know she must have had some happiness during her time in prison.
Rick Mason | Posted on 11 May 2009, 09:33PM | Report comment
I have been a member of AI for many years and will continue to be, but at times like this faith in our ability to make a differece wains. Saying it is sad and being emotional with these monsters is pointless. Rage manifested in action is perhaps more powerful. We must continue to lobby powerful nations and our own governments to sanction and boycott politicians and sports people from Iran, ban them from the Olympics,better still get moderate Islamists to also get behind AI and such sanctions and maybe these actions will save lives and shame these primitives into humane civilised behaviour.
Lynne | Posted on 11 May 2009, 08:45PM | Report comment
Peter - I believe barbarity is their way of life, they are still living in the dark ages and their judical system is very primitive and medieval in its atittude - especially towards women. It’s not about the truth and justice - just getting rid of the problem! So many innocent people suffer terribly.
Helen Jordan | Posted on 11 May 2009, 08:38PM | Report comment
I felt sickened to learn of Delara’s execution, and the human touch in your comments about her developing the artistic talent in her last years, made her death allt the more poignat for me
Peter M Ross | Posted on 11 May 2009, 08:28PM | Report comment
Sad? Sad isn’t enough. Come on Iran, surely you have a level of compassion? The murdered person deserved compassion, but to murder a young girl in this way is to perpetuate a crime. Please, please never let this happen again. Barbarity has no place in this world any more.
Peter
Lynne | Posted on 11 May 2009, 08:01PM | Report comment
Horrible and murderous to extiguish another human beings life - for any reason but even worse when they are an innocent victim. Extremely sad and totally disgusting!
$i$i | Posted on 10 May 2009, 11:53PM | Report comment
this is so so wrong. i dont understand this world at all. people can actually do this to each other.
*sigh*
this breaks my heart
Sajid | Posted on 8 May 2009, 04:28PM | Report comment
it is unacceptable to execute a female.Even she committed crime, she was 17.Apprently lack of compassion and the trial was not cinducted according to internatiuonal standards
kelly | Posted on 8 May 2009, 11:21AM | Report comment
As with Rhiann, to hear this deeply saddens me. There was no justice here the death penalty must be abolished. but
Susan | Posted on 7 May 2009, 02:34AM | Report comment
Rhiann have no fear you are not the only one. We have to let this tradgedy of justice strenghten our resolve to do what we can to get the death penalty banned across the globe and while this will take a concerted effort and time in places like Iran we will not give up seeking fair justice for all the children in these cases.
prajnaparamita | Posted on 5 May 2009, 06:35PM | Report comment
I agree rhiann. If we dedicate ourselves and work harder on this issue, it can serve as a tribute to poor Delara.
rhiann | Posted on 5 May 2009, 06:30PM | Report comment
I’ve been without the internet for awhile, so I lost track of this case. I was shocked to learn Delara had been executed. I am deeply saddened that still child executions in Iran and around the world are not taken seriously, but i am also angry that this issue will still land on deaf ears. After Nazanin Fatehi was set free, it seems that people thought the injustice was over. Far from it. I feel that I haven’t done enough to help, and from now on I will dedicate much more of my time to seek justice for the children of the row. I hope that I am not the only one. I hope that no more children, or youths have to die for this issue to be taken seriously.
mark | Posted on 5 May 2009, 06:06PM | Report comment
this is so, so sad.