[Deathpenalty] death penalty news---worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

URGENT ACTION APPEAL

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For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa11908.pdf

02 May 2008

UA 119/08             Death penalty/fear of imminent execution

BAHRAIN            Mizan Noor Al Rahman Ayoub Mia (m), aged 37,
Bangladeshi national

Mizan Noor Al Rahman Ayoub Mia, a Bangladeshi national, has
been sentenced to death by the Court of Cassation in
Bahrain. The execution is now pending ratification by the
King, His Majesty Shaikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa. If the
king ratifies the death sentence, Mizan Noor Al Rahman Ayoub
Mia could be executed within weeks.

According to Bahraini media reports, Mizan Noor Al Rahman
Ayoub Mia was found guilty of the murder in August 2006 of
his employer, a Bahraini woman. It has been reported that he
has confessed to the murder. Mizan Noor Al Rahman Ayoub was
sentenced to death in April 2007 by the High Criminal Court
and has since appealed. His appeal was rejected by the
Supreme Criminal Appeal Court in January 2008 and the Court
of Cassation upheld this decision on 28 April 2008.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The death penalty is rarely used in Bahrain. In recent
years several people have been sentenced to death. In
December 2006 three Bangladeshi nationals were executed, the
first people to be put to death in Bahrain since 1996.
Executions carried out in Bahrain are usually by firing
squad.

Amnesty International fears that the death penalty in
Bahrain is disproportionately and overwhelmingly used
against foreign nationals.

In January 2008 a proposed amendment to the 1976 Penal Code
to repeal the death penalty for drug trafficking was
defeated in the Shura Council. In December 2007, the
Bahraini government voted against a UN resolution calling
for moratorium on executions. The resolution was passed by a
vote of 104 in favor to 54 against, with 29 abstentions.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as
possible:
- calling for His Majesty Shaikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa
not to ratify the death sentence of Mizan Noor Al Rahman
Ayoub Mia;
- expressing sympathy with the victim's relatives and
acknowledging that the government has the right and
responsibility to bring to justice those responsible for
criminal offenses, but expressing unconditional opposition
to the death penalty;
- urging the King to commute the sentences of all those
facing possible execution in Bahrain.

APPEALS TO:

The King
His Majesty Shaikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa
King of Bahrain
Office of His Majesty the King
P. O. Box 555
Rifa'a Palace
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
Faxes:             011 973 176 64 587
Salutation:      Your Majesty

COPIES TO:

Ambassador Dr. Naser Mohamed Albalooshi
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain
3502 International Dr. NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax:                1 202 362 2192
Email:             ambsecretary at bahrainembassy.org

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 12
June 2008

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Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
that promotes and defends human rights.

This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable).
Thank you for your help with this appeal.

Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan at aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566

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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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