[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

August 13


RWANDA:

Death penalty abolished


Rwanda is to become the 1st country in Africa's Great Lakes region to
abolish the death penalty. The Rwandan Government announced its intentions
last week, in a move welcomed by Amnesty International.

It is the 100th country to abolish the death penalty in law, with another
30 countries abolishing this in practice. It is the 14th African country
to do this.

The last death sentences were imposed in 2003. The last executions of
people sentenced to death took place in 1998 when 22 people found guilty
of genocide-related crimes were executed. Rwanda currently holds
approximately 600 prisoners on death row. Despite their sentences being
commuted to life sentences with the enactment of the legislation, there
are continuing concerns regarding the cruel, inhumane and degrading prison
conditions in which these prisoners remain detained.

(source: The Voice)