Bodog Music Recording Artist Nazanin Afshin-Jam Pleas to World Media, Kofi Annan and the UN to Save the Life of Another Nazanin in Iran

Bodog Music Recording Artist Nazanin Afshin-Jam Pleas to World Media, Kofi Annan and the UN to Save the Life of Another Nazanin in Iran

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Bodog Music Recording Artist and world humanitarian, Nazanin Afshin-Jam has sent a letter addressed to Secretary General Kofi Annan and other UN representatives pleading for the life of Nazanin Fatehi, an 18-year-old sentenced to death for stabbing one of three men in self-defense who attempted to rape her and her 16-year-old niece. The text of the letter, which was hand delivered to UN officials and Kofi Annan, reads as follows:

Dear Mr. Annan,

I am writing to your Excellency, on behalf of myself Nazanin Afshin-Jam, and many international bodies and 130 000 people around the world who have signed the "Save Nazanin Petition." We would like to express our deepest concern for Ms. Nazanin Mahabad Fatehi, an 18-year-old girl who is facing imminent execution by the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has just been reported that her fate will be decided this week.

Nazanin was arrested in March 2005 for having stabbed one of three men who attempted to rape her and her 16-year-old niece in a park in Karaj, Iran. She attests that she acted in self-defense in order to prevent being raped. She was nevertheless sentenced to the maximum punishment possible under the law, death by hanging.

Nazanin was 17 years old at the time of the act. 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) and is therefore under obligation not to impose the death penalty on those under the age of 18. Mr. Secretary, the record of human rights of the Islamic Republic is a dismal one. Amnesty international has recorded 18 executions of child offenders in Iran since 1990. In 2005 alone, at least 8 executions of child offenders were recorded.

The International Committee against Execution has been responsible for helping free many women from execution in Iran. Their experience shows that with enough international pressure, letters from the UN, and governing bodies their sentences are commuted. One example of this is the well-known case of Afsaneh Norouzi who was granted clemency in 2003.

As someone who opposes death penalty in all its form, we ask you in the name of humanity to intercede with the government of Iran on behalf of Miss Nazanin Mahabad Fatehi.

On behalf of 130 000 people, I would like to meet with your Excellency or one of your Official Representatives to hand deliver this petition and together petition the Iranian Officials to free Nazanin.

I am fully aware of your Excellency's deep commitment to principals of human rights across the globe, and genuinely hope that this case will receive all your attention in order to save this unfortunate woman from an unusual and cruel punishment.

I would not be so bold to request so much from you had it not been for the news that she may have less than 7 days before her death sentence by hanging is carried out. We are hoping this will set a precedent for others like Nazanin in the future.

Thank you,

Nazanin Afshin-Jam
Concerned citizen of the world, with no political affiliation
www.nazanin.ca

To Sign the SAVE NAZANIN Petition visit:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Nazanin/petition-sign.html

To view a copy of the case as found on the Amnesty International site visit:

http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/document.do?id=ENGMDE130052006

Nazanin is also using her Internet site http://www.nazanin.ca/, Myspace page, www.myspace.com/nazaninmusic, as well as a Myspace group, www.myspace.com/savenazaningroup, to expedite the process of trying to save Nazanin.

For Further Information Please Contact: Rikki Zazula Rikki@bodogmusic.com 215 794 1972

Source: Bodog Music

CONTACT: Rikki Zazula of Bodog Music, +1-215-794-1972,
Rikki@bodogmusic.com

Web site: http://www.petitiononline.com/Nazanin/petition-sign.html

Web site: http://www.myspace.com/nazaninmusic

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