PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/029/2001 13 August 2001 EXTRA 53/01 Imminent Execution IRAN Reza Nadi (m), aged 21 Kazem Alayemi (m), aged 35 Reza Nadi and Kazem Alayemi have been convicted of murder, and will be hanged on 15 August, unless they are pardoned by the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, or by the victims' families. This pardon can be given at any time until the moment of execution. Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported today that the two men would be publicly hanged in the city of Mashhad. The Supreme Court has reportedly upheld both men's death sentences. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The number of executions reported in Iran has recently increased dramatically. At least eight people have reportedly been put to death in August alone, although the true figure may be much higher. Death sentences are only rarely announced before they have been carried out. In January of this year, 11 men were sentenced to death in Qasr Prison, Tehran. Six were executed the day after the sentences were announced. Three others were apparently pardoned by the victims' families, and the remaining two had their executions postponed (See EXTRA 05/01, MDE 13/004/2001, 16 January, and follow-up). RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Persian or your own language: - urging that the death sentences imposed on Reza Nadi and Kazem Alayemi are commuted immediately; - urging that the victims' families be made aware of their right to pardon Reza Nadi and Kazem Alayemi; - expressing your sympathy for the victims of violent crime and recognising the rights and responsibilities of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but stating your unconditional opposition to the death penalty irrespective of the crime for which it is imposed, as the ultimate violation of the right to life; - asking whether the men were given every opportunity to defend themselves, including the right to appeal, in keeping with Article 6(4) of the International Covenant on Civil, Political and Cultural Rights to which Iran is a state party: "Anyone sentenced to death shall have the right to seek pardon or commutation of the sentence. Amnesty, pardon or commutation of the sentence of death may be granted in all cases." - reminding the Iranian authorities of their commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular Article 3: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person." APPEALS TO: Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei c/o The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Telegrams: Ayatollah Khamenei, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Salutation: Your Excellency President His Excellency Hojjatoleslam Sayed Mohammad Khatami The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Telegrams: President Khatami, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Faxes: + 98 21 649 5880 E-mails: khatami@president.ir Salutation: Your Excellency Head of the Judiciary His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi Ministry of Justice Park-e Shahr Tehran Islamic Republic of Iran Telegrams: Head of Judiciary, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Faxes: + 98 21 537 8827 (number may be unreliable. A recorded message, in English, will indicate when to send fax - please send before it gives you the tone to leave a voice message) Salutation: Your Excellency COPIES TO: Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Kamal Kharrazi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Faxes: + 98 21 390 1999 (Human Rights Department) E-mail: matbuat@mfa.gov.ir (please ask for the message to be forwarded to the Human Rights Department)I Salutation: Your Excellency Director, Organisation for Defending Victims of Violence PO Box 16765-911, Tehran, Iran Faxes: + 98 21 653 091 E-mail: odvv@neda.net and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country. IRANS AMBASSAD BOX 6031 181 06 LIDINGÖ FAX 08-765 31 19 PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 23 September 2001. Source: Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, WC1X 8DJ, London, United Kingdom

...