Watchdog

Armenia’s leading media and rights organizations have expressed strong concern over what they call a “new wave of violence against freedom of speech” in the country.

A joint statement points out that five Armenian journalists have been the victims of violence in August alone. Those targeted include four correspondents from pro-opposition newspapers, as well as Hrach Melkumiam, the acting chief of the Yerevan Bureau of RFE/RL's Armenian Service.

“We are sounding the alarm that violence against the media has already reached a dangerous boundary and representatives of the authorities must do more than just expressing abstract concerns and making calls," the statement says. "They must take effective steps in order to ensure that all those who committed violent acts and illegalities are found and punished."

The statement is signed by the Yerevan Press Club, the Committee for the Protection of Freedom of Speech, the Institute of Comprehensive Information, the Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center, the Vanadzor office of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, the Vanadzor Press Club, and Gyumri’s Asparez Club of Journalists.

The Union of Journalists of Armenia has also raised its voice, calling on the authorities "to act quickly to identify and punish those responsible."

Melkumiam was attacked on August 18 by an unknown assailant who repeatedly beat him while denouncing RFE/RL's programs. Melkumian sustained broken teeth and bruises to his head and back.

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has ordered a prompt investigation into the attack.

Iran this week hanged a man for a murder he was was convicted of committing at the age of 15.

Reza Hejazi, 20, was executed on August 19 at Isfahan city prison.

Hejazi’s lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaie, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that he had sought a stay of execution while negotiating with the victim’s family. Under Iranian law, the victim’s family has the right to pardon the accused by accepting so-called “blood money.”

Mostafaie said officials had agreed with his request, but that Hejazi was later executed anyway, despite their pledge.

Human rights activists, including Tehran-based Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, have condemned the execution as a violation of international conventions on child rights. Iran is a party to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prevent signatories from executing convicts under the age of 18.

Rights activists argue that Hejazi is considered a juvenile offender since he was a minor at the time of the crime.

Under Iran’s laws, however, the legal responsibility age for boys is 15, while girls are punishable from the age of 9.

Along with Hejazi, four other men, including a drug dealer and a rapist, were hanged in Iran on August 19.

Amnesty International says more than 190 people have been executed in Iran this year. Under the country’s Islamic laws, murder, armed robbery, adultery, and drug trafficking are crimes punishable by death. Last year, Iran reportedly carried out 317 executions -- the highest rate of execution in the world after China.