After the execution of the political activist Ehsan Fatahiyan on November 11, 2009, 12 political activists are facing the same fate. Almost all of them have been accused of being a mohareb (“enemy of God”) and/or “endangering state security” and sentenced to death after unfair trials.

Defend International urges Iran to stop the execution of the political activist Mr. Shirkoh Moarefi and 11 others, and encourages the Iranian authorities to review death penalty in light of International Human Rights Law.

Defend International was informed by reliable sources that the political activist Mr. Ehsan Fatahiyan would be hanged on November 11, 2009. He was accused of being a mohareb (“enemy of God”) and “endangering state security”.

Defend International continues its lobbying efforts and congratulates Iraq on the Cabinet’s recent decision to join the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. Iraq’s Cabinet recently made a decision to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions.