AFP: Finland summoned Iran's ambassador in Helsinki Friday to express concern at the execution of a juvenile offender and its plans to execute two others, the Finnish foreign ministry said.
HELSINKI (AFP) – Finland summoned Iran's ambassador in Helsinki Friday to express concern at the execution of a juvenile offender and its plans to execute two others, the Finnish foreign ministry said.
Secretary of State Pertti Torstila called a meeting with Reza Nazarahari in a bid to prevent the planned executions from going ahead, the ministry said in a statement.
Last week Iran executed Delara Darabi for a murder she committed when she was 17, sparking international outrage, and Torstila strongly condemned the execution at the meeting with the Iranian ambassador.
Earlier this week Iran ordered a stay of execution for two young convicts sentenced to death for crimes committed when they were under the age of 18. The move is seen as a reaction to international criticism from governments and rights groups.
"Sentencing minors to death is forbidden by international human rights agreements, which have been ratified by Iran," the Finnish foreign ministry said.
In the meeting with Nazarahari, Torstila also urged Teheran to give up execution and stoning as a punishment for crimes.
