Delara Darabi, aged 20, is an Iranian girl at the risk of execution for a murder which took place when she was 17 years old. She denies committing the crime. Iran is a state party to international treaties that expressly prohibit the use of the death penalty for crimes committed by those under the age of 18.
According to Delara the murder of her father's female cousin was committed by the 19 year old boyfriend that she was in love with. Delara Darabi initially confessed to the murder, but soon retracted her confession. She claims that Amir Hossein asked her to admit responsibility for the murder to protect him from execution, believing that since she was under the age of 18, she could not be sentenced to death.
Delara Darabi was sentenced to death by a lower court in the northern city of Rasht. The sentence has been upheld by the Iran's Suprerior Court. At this stage the Head of the Judiciary has the power to order a stay of execution and a review of the case. Amir Hossein has reportedly received a prison sentence of 10 years for his involvement in the crime.
Amnesty International has made several public statements public statements about Delara.
Delara is a talented artist and has used paintings to express her feelings. Last year there was en exhibition of her paintings in Tehran.
According to the Iranian Etemaad newspaper her death sentence has been confirmed by the Iranian Supreme Court and her execution may be imminent. Her attorney has appealed the verdict. In January 20, 2007 Delara attempted suicide by cutting her wrists, however her cell-mate noticed the incident and called for help. Delara's was rushed to the hospital, where she was revived. Delara physical and emotional health is still unstable.
As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Iran has undertaken not to execute anyone for an offence committed when they were under the age of 18.
Please sign the petition to save Delara's life as we are the last of her hopes:
According to the United Nations, a child is a person under the age of 18. Despite the fact that Iran has signed International Covenants that forbid them to execute anyone who has allegedly committed an offence before the age of 18, they continue to do so. Since 1990, Iran has executed at least 28 children and in the last couple of years the rate is increasing. Currently, there are at least 81 minors on death row in Iran. Time is of the essence. Together we will make them STOP the execution of minors!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE ADD. I WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU ALWAYS IN MY PRAYERS...ESTAREMOS ORANDO POR LOS NIÑOS EN UNIDAD JUNTAMENTE CON OTROS PAISES, EL AMOR DE D**S ES ETERNO Y EL LES ENVIARA AYUDA PARA ESTOS NIÑOS...G*D BLESS YOU ...ALWAYS!
Death Penalty Focus 870 Market St. Ste. 859 San Francisco, CA 94102 Tel. 415.243.0143 - Fax 415.243.0994 - www. deathpenalty. org
Urgent Action Needed Please take 30 seconds to email the Sacramento Bee!
In the last week, the Sacramento Bee has published several op-eds on the death penalty, multiple news stories, and their most compelling editorial to date on the issue.
They have now called for submissions on the death penalty for next week's forum. It is very important we seize this opportunity to submit as many anti-death penalty letters as possible. Letters should be short and simple - no more than 300 words! Even letters that include nothing more than the statement, "I am opposed to the death penalty. " will be helpful!
The Sacramento Bee posed this question: Should California continue to impose the death penalty for the most serious crimes?
E-mail your answers to
forum@sacbee.com
and include your name, phone number, and address (your phone number and address will not be published, but will be used to confirm that you are a real person.).
Please take just 30 seconds to send a letter! Thank you!
ba arezouye behtarinha baraye shoma doste nazaninam dar sale jadid - omidvaram dar satasare koreye khaki !!! solh - aramesh dosti safa samimiyat va !!!! bargharar bashad.
