Nov. 12
SINGAPORE:
Death penalty discriminates
Appeals to the Singaporean Government to reconsider clemency for the young
Australian sentenced to death, Tuong Van Nguyen, do not ignore its right
to determine the laws by which its visitors must abide.
But there are some truths which are universal, such as that spoken by
William Shakespeares Portia in The Merchant of Venice: "The quality of
mercy is not strained. It dropeth like the gentle rain from heaven upon
the place beneath. It is twice blessed. It blesseth him that giveth and
him that taketh. Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes the throned
monarch better than his crown."
Having been a prison nurse for 10 years I know of the suffering of
drug-addicted victims and the grief it causes families.
I understand why parents of addicts wish drug traffickers wiped off the
face of the earth.
But as a nurse I was obliged to treat with equal respect the lives of the
victim and the trafficker.
When a state sanctions killing this tenet is undermined.
If doctors and nurses were to similarly discriminate, no one would be
safe.
The heroin Tuong Van Nguyen was carrying when arrested could have caused
misery and death.
Due to the vigilance of Singaporean authorities it didnt.
He was a foolish boy, not a hardened, remorseless criminal.
Granted clemency, he will still pay a heavy price with long imprisonment
and surely the vision of his grieving mother, who gave birth to him in a
refugee camp, is an equally effective and a more humane deterrent.
DENISE M. CAMERON, -- West Brunswick
(source: The Border Mail)
INDIA:
Should Abu Salem be given death penalty?
Portugal on Friday extradited underworld don Abu Salem, the prime accused
in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts that killed around 250 people.
India had to give a written undertaking that neither Salem nor his
girlfriend Monica Bedi would be given capital punishment.
As soon Salem was produced in the court, the designated Terrorist And
Disputed Activities court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation how it
was producing an accused in court with a pre-condition.
Judge P D Kode asked if there was any legal provision that could allow
them to do this.
Was it right on part of the Indian government to have given such an
undertaking, especially when Salem is accused in one of the largest terror
attacks on Indian soil?
If charges warrant the death penalty, should the government stick to its
undertaking or should he be given the death penalty?
(source: Rediff)
ITALY:
TUSCAN ARTISTS' CONCERT AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
"Musical note are the words of a universal language that communicates,
fascinates, involves and is sensitive to the people of every country.
Music, an instrument that interests and has a role to play in the problems
that the world faces, can be considered a communication tool, that crosses
national borders and a dialogue between populations". With these words the
President of the Regional Council of Tuscany, Riccardo Nencini, spoke
about the "Concert against the death penalty" that is to take place at the
Mandela Forum in Florence on Tuesday 29 November, entry free. The concert
has been organised on the occasion of the Tuscany Festival 2005 that
recalls 30 November 1786 when, for the first time in history, the Dukedom
of Tuscany abolished the death property from its criminal code.
"The occasion is a concerted effort - added Nencini to give meaning to the
participation of Tuscan artists to the spirit of this festival, dedicated
to the new Europe that must have its basis in regional democracy. It will
be a time for reflection on our identity and our values". Piero Pelu', the
Jubilee Shouters, Ginevra Di Marco, Riccardo Tesi, Pau dei Negrita,
Erriquez della Bandabardo', Petra Magoni and Ferruccio Spinetti, Paolo
Hendel, Folco Terzani, Irene Grandi, Lorenzo Jovanotti will be on the
stage, . "The synergy between music and politics is important - said Peiro
Pelu' - artistic director of the concert - in order to make the enw
generation aware. Ton the 29th there will be, free of charge, names fomr
the art and music world who will perform in support of the abolition of
the death penalty". Finally, Simonetta Pencini, President of the Tuscany
Theatre Foundation, emphasised the importance of this initiative in order
to "keep the flame for human rights alight - and to make sure that in
Tuscany we never lower our guard". "This concert - she concluded - is a
fight for civility that will involve many young people".
(source: Agencia Giornalistica Italia)
