Defend International was informed by reliable sources that Mr. Hossein Khezri, a Kurdish political activist was at imminent risk of execution on 14 April 2010. He was accused of being a mohareb (“enemy of God”) and “endangering state security”.
Latest news:
- Unfortunately Mr. Khezri was executed on 15 January 2011, and neither his family nor his lawer were given prior warning.
This sad news was received by DI members in April 2011.
- Defend International condemns this horrific and inhumane act and sends his family, friends, rights defenders, and everyone who sent appeals our deep sorrow and sympathy.
On 12 April 2010, DI had published the following campaign in support of Mr. Khezri:
Defend International (DI) has been informed of the imminent execution of Mr. Hossein Khezri, a political activist who was condemned to death after having been accused of being a “mohareb.” He will probably be hanged on April 14. 2010.
DI has sent urgent appeals to the Iranian authorities to halt this scheduled execution. In addition, appeals have been sent to the Council of Europe and the Commissioner for Human Rights to intervene.
Name: Hossein Khezri
Authorities: Iranian
Category: Death penalty / Fear of torture or ill-treatments
The Case:
Mr. Hossein Khezri, aged 28, was detained in the city of Urmiye, and according to the information received on 11 April 2010, he was transferred from Urmiye Prison to an unknown location prior to his execution. Moreover, all his personal belongings were taken away.
On July 31, 2008 Mr. Khezri was arrested in the city of Kermanshah. On July 11, 2009 he was convicted of being a mohareb (“enemy of God”) and “endangering state security.” While in prison, he has been subjected to torture and injured so badly that his eyesight has been affected severely.
DI Views & Demands:
- Defend International urges Iran again to stop all executions immediately and encourages the Iranian authorities to review death penalty in light of International Human Rights Law.
- Defend International condemns the execution of Ehsan Fatahiyan [1] on 11 November 2009 as well as the execution of Fasih Yasmini carried out by the Iranian authorities on 6 January 2010.
- DI warns the authorities not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
The use of capital punishment has increased significantly in Iran. DI is calling on the Iranian authorities to stop the execution of Mr. Khezri immediately. Below are copies of the letters sent by Defend International co-founder Dr Widad to:
- The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
- The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
- The Secretary General of the Council of Europe
- The Commissioner for Human Rights
ـــــــــــــــــ
Leader of the Islamic Republic,
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei,
The Office of the Supreme Leader,
Shoahada Street,
Qom,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Faxes: + 98.21.649.5880 / 21.774.2228
Urgent Appeal: Please halt the execution of Mr. Hossein Khezri
Your Excellency,
On behalf of Defend International, I would like to express my deepest concern about the safety of Mr. Hossein Khezri who is feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Urmiye prison. He has reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb and sentenced to death after unfair trials.
According to the information received, he may be hanged on April 14, 2010. Indeed, he has been moved from his cell in preparation for his execution.
We urge you to commute this death sentence immediately and to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Khezri. Defend International considers the application of capital punishment under any circumstances an extreme form of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and a violation of the right to life, as set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.
Furthermore, we urge you to conduct a full inquiry into the allegation of torture and ill-treatment and to ensure that Mr. Khezri has access to adequate medical treatment and nutrition.
Finally, we call on you to take immediate and comprehensive action to stop all executions as well as to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Co-founder, DEFEND INTERNATIONAL
________________________
President of the Islamic Republic,
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue,
Azerbaijan Intersection,
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Faxes: + 98.21.649.5880
12 April 2010
Urgent Appeal: Please halt the execution of Mr. Hossein Khezri
Your Excellency,
On behalf of Defend International, I would like to express my deepest concern about the safety of Mr. Hossein Khezri who is feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Urmiye prison. He has reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb and sentenced to death after unfair trials.
According to the information received, he may be hanged on April 14, 2010. Indeed, he has been moved from his cell in preparation for his execution.
We urge you to commute this death sentence immediately and to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Khezri. Defend International considers the application of capital punishment under any circumstances an extreme form of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and a violation of the right to life, as set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.
Furthermore, we urge you to conduct a full inquiry into the allegation of torture and ill-treatment and to ensure that Mr. Khezri has access to adequate medical treatment and nutrition.
Finally, we call on you to take immediate and comprehensive action to stop all executions as well as to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Co-founder, DEFEND INTERNATIONAL
________________________
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe
His Excellency Thorbjorn Jagland,
12, avenue Tervuren
B – 1040 Brussels
Fax +33 2 230 94 62
Urgent Appeal: Iran must halt the execution of Mr. Hossein Khezri
Your Excellency,
On behalf of Defend International, I would like to express my deepest concern about the safety of the Kurdish political activitst Mr. Hossein Khezri who is feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Urmiye prison. He has reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb (‘enemy of God’) and sentenced to death after unfair trials.
According to the information received, he may be hanged on April 14, 2010. Indeed, he has been moved from his cell in preparation for his execution.
We affirm the necessity for an immediate intervention by the Council of Europe and the international community in order to halt this death sentence. We call on you to urge the Iranian authorities to issue public orders to all prison governors that no executions be carried out. Iran must take steps to reform its criminal justice system and to declare a moratorium on executions. Defend International considers the application of capital punishment under any circumstances an extreme form of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and a violation of the right to life, as set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.
Furthermore, we call for a transparent and independent body to investigate the allegation of torture and ill-treatment and to prosecute those responsible for such violations.
Finally, we ask the Council of Europe to remind the Islamic Republic of Iran of its international obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Co-founder, DEFEND INTERNATIONAL
________________________
12 April 2010
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Mr. Thomas Hammarberg
Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
FRANCE
Fax: + 33 (0)3 90 21 50 53
Dear Mr. Hammarberg,
On behalf of Defend International, I would like to express my deepest concern about the safety of the Kurdish political activitst Mr. Hossein Khezri who is feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Urmiye prison. He has reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb (‘enemy of God’) and sentenced to death after unfair trials.
According to the information received, he may be hanged on April 14, 2010. Indeed, he has been moved from his cell in preparation for his execution.
We respectfully urge you to take all necessary measures to halt this death sentence. We call on you to urge the Iranian authorities to issue public orders to all prison governors that no executions be carried out. Iran must take steps to reform its criminal justice system and to declare a moratorium on executions. Defend International considers the application of capital punishment under any circumstances an extreme form of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and a violation of the right to life, as set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.
Furthermore, we call for a transparent and independent body to investigate the allegation of torture and ill-treatment and to prosecute those responsible for such violations.
Finally, we ask you to remind the Islamic Republic of Iran of its international obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Co-founder, DEFEND INTERNATIONAL