Subject: U.S. woman faces execution in Oman
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 20/001/2004
11 November 2004
UA 308/04 Imminent Execution
OMAN Rebecca Thompson (f), aged 44, US citizen
On 9 November, the Supreme Court in Oman upheld the death sentence
against US national Rebecca Thompson. Her sentence, which is now at the
final stage of the appeal process, is expected to be referred to the
Sultan of Oman. The Sultan has the power either to confirm or commute
the sentence - if confirmed, she would be at risk of imminent
execution.
Rebecca Thompson was arrested at the beginning of 2004 in connection
with the murder of her husband, Mark Lee Thompson. She had reportedly
alleged that Mark Lee Thompson had repeatedly acted violently towards
her.
She was sentenced to death on 8 May by the Lower Court in Oman. Three
others were sentenced in connection with the murder: two Omani
nationals, both aged 17, who were each sentenced to 10 years'
imprisonment; and her 14-year-old son, who received a three-year prison
term, later suspended because of his age. He has since been deported to
the US. All four sentences were upheld by the Appeal Court on 17 July.
Rebecca Thompson is being held in a prison a short distance outside the
capital Muscat.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty unreservedly in all
cases. While the organization recognizes the need to address serious
crime all over the world, including murder, it is convinced that the
death penalty will not provide a solution. There is no clear evidence
that the death penalty acts as a more effective deterrent against crime
than other forms of punishment.
Death sentences in Oman are usually carried out by firing squad. Amnesty
International is unaware of any executions being carried out in Oman
since 2001, or of any women ever having been executed in Oman.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as
possible, in English or your own language:
- expressing concern that Rebecca Thompson may be at risk of imminent
execution, and calling for the commutation of the death sentence against
her;
- urging all death sentences in Oman to be commuted, as they constitute
the violation of one of the most fundamental of human rights =96 the right
to life.
APPEALS TO:
Sultan of Oman
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said
Diwan of the Royal Court
PO Box 875, Muscat 113
Sultanate of Oman
Fax: + 968 735 375
Salutation: Your Majesty
Minister of Justice
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdullah bin Zaher al-Hinai
Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice
PO Box 354, Muscat 112
Sultanate of Oman
Fax: + 968 602 725
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Interior
His Excellency Sa=3Dud bin Brahim al-Busa=3Didi
Minister of Interior, Ministry of Interior
PO Box 127, Ruwi 112
Sultanate of Oman
Fax: + 968 696 660
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Oman accredited to your
country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International
Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 23
December 2004.
