Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent reports that two gay teenagers were hanged after being found guilty of homosexuality in Iran; and if such reports are true, if the Government will express its concern through diplomatic and other appropriate means. [30445/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As I stated in reply to a written question on 28 September 2005, I was deeply concerned by reports of the public execution of two youths in Mashad in Iran on 19 July, following their conviction for the abduction and rape of a minor. The Government is strongly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and the worldwide abolition of the death penalty is a political priority for us and our partners in the EU. In addition, we have also strongly urged states which retain the death penalty not to apply it to any person below adult age. I understand at least one of the youths in this case was aged under 18 at the time of the offence.

The EU issued a statement on 26 July expressing strong concerns in regard to the Mashad case and, more broadly, on the use of the death penalty and the execution of minors in Iran. These concerns were also raised directly with the foreign ministry in Iran. The Government will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Iran closely, through our embassy in Tehran and in co-operation with our partners in the EU.