Brussels, 29/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 29 January, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton announced that “it was with great concern that I learned that an Iranian High Court has upheld the death sentences against Ahwazi Arab activists Mohammad Ali Amouri, Hashem Sha'bani Amouri, Hadi Rashidi, Sayed Jaber Alboshoka and his brother Sayed Mokhtar Alboshoka. Reports that the executions of these men are imminent are very worrying, and I urge the Iranian authorities to commute the sentences”.
Ashton said that she was concerned by reports that these men did not receive fair trials and were forced to confess. She said: “I would like to remind the Iranian authorities of their obligations under international law, in particular regarding the protection of the civil and political rights of members of ethnic minorities”. These five Iranian activists from the mainly Arab province of Khuzestan (Southwest) were sentenced to death for having been found guilty of terrorism charges. (CG/transl.fl)