Rome 24 February, 2006

Hands Off Cain, the international campaign for a UN moratorium on capital executions, supports the Public statement issued by (IHRAG) the “Iranian Human Rights Activist Groups in EU and North America” on the occasion of the forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Commission.

Hands Off Cain denounces the Iranian regime, which is the second most prolific executioner in the world and oppresses its citizens with unheard of violence.

For Hands Off Cain the death penalty in Iran is first of all a battle for the affirmation of human rights and the constitution of a democratic state. Worthy of note is the fact that 98.8% of the world total executions are carried out by dictatorial, authoritarian or illiberal states such as Iran.

For us democracy in Iran also starts with the respect the resolution on the death penalty approved every year since 1997 by the UN Commission on Human Rights that states: “the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the development of human rights.”

We ask the highest representatives of the International Community, to work in bringing about respect in Iran for the life of its citizens and to assure the right to freedom and democracy, fundamental elements of the international community of which today we all feel an active part.

Sergio d’Elia

Hands Off Cain Secretary General