High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
October 20th, 2004

Your Excellency,

I am writing to you with a profound concern about the fate of Ms. Jilla Izadi, a thirteen-year-old girl who has been condemned to death by stoning in the city of Marivan, Iran.

According to substantiated reports from Iran, Jilla is presently in prison for being impregnated by her fifteen-year-old brother. Since this is not the first time that a woman is to be stoned to death for such charges, I am deeply concerned that the Islamic regime might indeed carry out the sentence in defiance of all civilized norms and protocols.

My compatriots are rightfully alarmed by these reports and are engaged in an international campaign to reflect Jilla's condition in Iran and to save her from further trauma and violence. Apart from the inhumane cruelty of stoning, we are concerned about the future treatment of Jilla and other children who are victims of their life condition and, regardless of their age, are placed in prisons. Children like Jilla and her brother are victims themselves and have no guilt in their sad circumstances. They need counseling and protection and not imprisonment.

The clerical regime in Iran is a signatory to the United Nations' Declaration of the Rights of the Child and as such, is obligated to fully respect the basic rights of the Iranian children. Iranians have the right to due process and fair treatment in accordance with all of the United Nations' declarations and charters on human rights.

I urgently ask your Excellency's good offices to utilize all its available resources to save Jilla from undue and unfortunate conditions that she has been subjected to. The Islamic Regime of Iran must be held accountable for its violations of human rights against the people of Iran and its failure to comply with the UN charter.
With warmest regards,