Baku, Azerbaijan, April 9
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
A senior Iranian official claims that Iran does not execute children under 18.
While commenting on the issue, Iranian Judiciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani said if Europeans are honest in this claim, why don't they present the names of such executed youths, the country's Fars news agency reported on April 9.
Larijani also criticized the European Parliament's new resolution which included the situation of human rights, saying that the resolution is a clear interference in Iran's internal affairs.
"It only shows the arrogant nature of the European countries," Larijani added.
The European Parliament passed a resolution on the EU strategy towards Iran on April 3, expressing concern over the human rights violations in Iran.
The resolution criticizes human rights abuses in Iran and calls for a more active role of the EU in addressing the problems related to human rights in the country and supporting civil society. It also advises EU members to focus on human rights in their ties with the Islamic Republic.
The resolution expressed alarm with regard to the high number of executions in 2013 and 2014, including those of minors.
The Iranian administration and hard-line MPs, have seriously criticized the resolution.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on April 4 that the European Parliament's measure was "baseless and unacceptable," adding that not only does the resolution run counter to all political and international criteria, but it is also reminiscent of "discriminatory and racist" approaches.
Edited by C.N.