Iran's death penalty law scrutinized; More juveniles on death list despite reforms

According to Amnesty International, dozens of people who were arrested in Iran for crimes committed before they turned 18 remain on the list of the death penalty. Despite recent reforms in the government regarding this provision, many are still in the death row.

Between 2005 and 2015, the London-based group found that Iran had already executed 73 juveniles. Despite juvenile reforms that were passed, Iran continues to engage young offenders to the death row, they allow as young as 9 to 15 yrs. old to be executed as reported by Yahoo News.

The Amnesty report increases the pressure on Iran during a time that Tehran is building its relations back to the West following last year's landmark nuclear deal. The group is expecting a curb in lifting the crippling international sanction.

Hassan Rouhani, Iran's president, visited Rome to start his first European trip after almost 20 years. The trip will also include a visit at the Vatican and France that will lead to business and trade opportunities. Iran is one of the largest proponents of the death penalty coming in second with China in 2014 according to Amnesty's report. Most cases relate to this executions are drug smuggling since Iran is the main route linking to opium trades from Afghanistan to Europe.

The 73 juveniles who were placed in the death row for the past decades were convicted of murder. Others were executed for crimes of rape, drug-related crimes and national security offense according to records showed by Amnesty.

Last October, Ahmed Shaheed, United Nations Special Investigator, warned that there is a rise in Iran's executions. He said that the country puts more people on the death row than any other country. He said that the country doesn't conform to international laws banning death penalty for juveniles and non-violent offenders.

In 2013, the group introduced reforms to judges to give more discretion and take into considerations the juvenile offenders mental maturity and impose less punishment. Another suggestion that the group gave is that special courts must be in place to try this young offenders but still Amnesty said that more must be done.

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Iran, Death Penalty, juveniles, Amnesty International, Ahmed Shaheed, Iran execution, Iran death penalty

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