The European Union repeated its call to Iran to release Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who both face execution at the hands of Iran’s judiciary system.

“Thousands of individuals remain at risk of execution, including Ms Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. The EU reiterates its call on Iran not to execute them,” EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a written statement Friday.

The EU joins the expansive list of countries and government bodies condemning Iran for its obvious neglect of human rights.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, France, Britain, and Mexico have all voiced their condemnation of Nadarkhani’s death sentence.

Ashton also requested Iran to repeal its death penalty, as it holds the highest number of executions per inhabitant in the world.

“Hundreds of individuals were executed in 2011 after grossly unfair trials, without the right of appeal and for offences, which according to international standards should not result in capital punishment,” Ashton said Friday.

Human Rights organisations believe that it is international attention which continues to keep Nadarkhani alive.

Christian Today