The Impending Execution of Delara Darabi – Updated

Via WorldPulse:

I just received word from the international human rights campaign, Stop Child Executions , that Delara Darabi, a young artist who has been in Rasht prison for the last five years in Iran, is at great risk of imminent execution.

A few days ago, she was told by prison authorities to prepare herself as she would be executed any day. Her lawyer, Abdolsamad Khoramshahi, is convinced that if she were to be given a new trial whereby they could re-enact the scene of the crime, it would be easily proven that Delara is innocent of the alleged murder she was convicted of. Khoramshahi has said many times that he has new evidence including the crime being committed by a right handed person whereas Delara is left-handed.

Many attempts have been made by human rights groups and celebrities to try and get a pardon from the victim’s family; however, they have said that they want her execution to be carried out.

Stop Child Executions has been documenting Delara’s case for several years and informing members of parliament worldwide, human rights group, the United Nations and the general public about her condition.

In 2007, Stop Child Executions produced a ten minute documentary about Delara that may be viewed here: http://www.stopchildexecutions.com/Delara.aspx

For more information on Delara Darabi and back story, please visit: http://scenews.blog.com/Delara%20Darabi/

Please send your urgent action by phoning or faxing the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations:

Mohammad Khazaee, Ambassador and Permanent Representative
622 Third Ave. New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 687-2020 / Fax: (212) 867-7086
E-mail: iran@un.int

And writing to the Head of Judiciary in Iran:

His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri,
Tehran 1316814737,
Islamic Republic of Iran
Phone: [00 98 21] 391 1109
Fax: [00 98 21] 390 4986
Email: Shahroudi@Dadgostary-tehran.ir

Salutation: Your Excellency

Your support in this case is much needed.

Here is a sample letter draft:

Your Excellency Ayatollah Shahroudi:

Delara Darabi, the young artist who has been in Rasht prison for the last 6 years in Iran, is at risk of execution. I understand that her lawyer Abdolsamad Khoramshai has been informed that her execution is scheduled in the next few days. He is convinced that if she were to be given a new trial whereby they could re-enact the scene of the crime, it would be easily proven that Delara is innocent of the alleged murder she was convicted of.

Khoramshahi has said many times that he has new evidence including the crime being committed by a right-handed person whereas Delara is left-handed. Many attempts have been made by human rights groups and celebrities to try and get a pardon from the victim’s family; however, they have said that they want her execution to be carried out.

Please keep in mind that Iran is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which prohibit the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18.

In the indicated circumstances, I request that she not be executed and be granted a new trial.

Thank you,

(Your name)

Please send this letter to:

Head of Judiciary of Islamic Republic of Iran
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Phone: [00 98 21] 391 1109
Fax: [00 98 21] 390 4986 (Dialing from North America: 011 98 21 3390 4986)
Email: Shahroudi@Dadgostary-tehra

For more information on how you can help, you can go to SaveDelara.com. May Allah protect Delara and those like her.

UPDATE:

Darabi’s execution has been temporarily delayed because “the victim’s family announced they would not be present in the execution ceremony, which is a requirement to do the execution.” (Farsi) They have not pardoned her though. Thanks to Rochelle for the update!