The United States on Saturday condemned the hanging of the Iranian woman Reyhaneh Jabbari, 26, who had been imprisoned for over seven years.
“We condemn this morning’s execution in Iran of Reyhaneh Jabbari,” said the statement by State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
The statement said who there were “serious concerns with the fairness of the trial and the circumstances surrounding this case.”
Among those concerns were “reports of confessions made under severe duress,” Psaki said.
“Iranian authorities proceeded with this execution despite pleas from Iranian human rights activists and an international outcry over this case,” Psaki said.
“We join our voice with those who call on Iran to respect the fair trial guarantees afforded to its people under Iran’s own laws and its international obligations.”
Also the government of Canada condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the execution of Reyhaneh Jabbari the “latest victim of a murderous regime.”
The Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird released the following statement on Saturday: “Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms Iran’s execution of Reyhaneh Jabbari, a 26-year old interior designer and the latest victim of a murderous regime.
“In 2009, Ms. Jabbari was convicted after a deeply flawed trial process of killing a man she claims was trying to sexually assault her. Today, Iran executed her despite international efforts to see a fair trial and justice properly served.
“The execution of Ms. Jabbari is another truly tragic example of Iran’s contempt for due process and of systemic flaws within Iran’s judicial system.
“Canada strongly believes that due process and the rule of law are fundamental to ensuring human rights and dignity. By failing to accord Ms. Jabbari due process, Iran has once again cynically demonstrated its unwillingness to live up to international human rights obligations and to respect the dignity and rights of its people. The people of Iran, and on this day particularly the family of Reyhaneh Jabbari, deserve better.”
