HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS URGES AFGHANISTAN TO REINSTATE MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY

Geneva, 9 October 2007: High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today expressed her dismay at the reported execution of 15 convicted prisoners on Sunday.

"I am deeply troubled by this sudden resort to execution, after three years of refraining from carrying out the death penalty", she said. "As reported, the circumstances of the executions may constitute a breach of Afghanistan's obligations under international law."

High Commissioner Arbour called on the Afghan Government to reinstate a moratorium on the carrying out of any further executions.