[Deathpenalty] death penalty news-----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

May 10


MIDDLE EAST:

ACHRS Report: the death penalty in the Arab World in 2007


The Jordan-based Amman Centre for Human Rights has released its 2nd annual
report on the status of the death penalty in Arab countries. The report
gives both an overview of the region and a detailed look at each Arab
state.

The ACHRS report stresses that 2007 saw a worldwide trend towards the
abolition of the death penalty, with several states getting rid of capital
punishment and the UN General Assembly Resolution calling for a moratorium
on the death penalty.

"However, while strides have been made worldwide in the campaign for the
abolition of the death penalty, progress in the Arab World has been
slower," the document states.

Figures compiled in the report show that most Arab states have reduced the
number of executions in 2007, with the notable exception of Saudi Arabia,
which accounted for 147 of the 195 deaths recorded in the Arab World last
year.

ACHRS was instrumental in establishing the Arab Coalition Against the
Death Penalty, a member of the World Coalition.

[to download the report in English, see:
http://www.worldcoalition.org/modules/wfdownloads/singlefile.php?cid=30&lid=129
]

*****************

Anti-death penalty double bill in the Gaza Strip


The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), a Gaza-based NGO and a
member of the World Coalition, organised 2 meetings on the death penalty
in March.

The 1st meeting took place on March 10 in the offices of the Palestinian
Society for Democracy and Law in Rafah. At least 30 individuals
representing a number of NGOs in Rafah attended.

The 2nd meeting was held on March 12, in cooperation with Sharek Youth
Forum in Gaza City. At least 30 students and graduates of al-Azhar
University in Gaza and a number of civil society activists attended the
meeting.

Raising public awareness

The events are part of PCHR's death penalty project, which aims at raising
public awareness and creating a public opinion calling for the abolishment
of capital punishment from Palestinian laws. PCHR also seeks to stop
extra-judicial executions carried out by Israeli forces against
Palestinians. The meetings discussed the international trend towards the
abolition of the death penalty from domestic laws, and the recent United
Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on
executions.

During the meetings, discussions were opened among the participants who
were divided between supporters of and opponents to the death penalty.

******************

Saudi Arabia: why are foreigners losing their heads?


Rizana Nafeek, a Sri Lankan servant sentenced to death by a Saudi court,
is facing decapitation. ACAT-France and ECPM have joined forces to defend
poor immigrants at risk of capital punishment in Saudi Arabia.

World Coalition members Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture
(ACAT-France) and Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM), members of
the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, have launched a campaign
against the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

The 'Saudi Arabia: why are foreigners losing their heads?' campaign
condemns the increasing number of executions in Saudi Arabia since the
start of the year. In particular, it focuses on the fact that almost half
of all executions involve foreigners (out of 158 people executed in 2007,
76 were foreigners).

The situation is illustrated by the case of Rizana, a 20-year-old Sri
Lankan woman who came to work in Saudi Arabia with false identity
documents when she was 16.

She is accused of causing the death of the baby for whom she was caring.
According to her, the child choked as it drank from its bottle. She was 17
at the time.

Arrested in May 2005, she did not have the right to a lawyer, either
during questioning or during the trial. She allegedly 'confessed' to the
murder during police questioning in a language she does not understand and
signed a document drawn up in a language she cannot read.

She was sentenced to death on 16 June 2007 and appealed the sentence. If
it is confirmed Rizana will be decapitated. In Saudi Arabia executions are
performed in public through decapitation by sword.

Foreign nationals are more exposed

Saudi Arabian justice is particularly intransigent towards foreign workers
and especially those from poor countries in the Middle East, Africa and
Asia who represent nearly a quarter of the countrys population.

Foreign nationals are more exposed to legal errors and unfair trials than
Saudi Arabians. As a result of their origins, they have little chance of
escaping capital punishment. They receive insufficient, sometimes even
inexistent, legal representation and consular assistance. They are
deprived of all family support and cannot understand the contents of the
statements drawn up in Arabic they must sign.

On occasion, their sentence depends solely on confessions obtained under
constraint, torture or subterfuge. Trials take place in secret and the
accused and their families are not informed of the accusations against
them or the evolution of the procedures concerning them.

Witchcraft and homosexuality among capital offences

Many offences lead to the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, not only violent
crimes but also witchcraft, adultery, sodomy, homosexuality and apostasy
(renouncing Islam), to name but a few.

Although Saudi Arabia signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child it
continues to sentence and execute those who were juveniles at the time of
the offence.

In December the UN General Assembly voted on a resolution calling for a
universal moratorium on executions. ACAT-France and ECPM condemn this
barbarian practice in Saudi Arabia. They are launching an appeal for
Rizanas death sentence to be commuted and to guarantee the accused a
justice system which conforms to international norms and standards in this
area.

(source for all: World Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty)






UGANDA:

No death penalty for LRA chief Kony


IF found guilty of crimes against humanity, LRA leader Joseph Kony will
not be sentenced to death. The death penalty is not an option in the
Special Division of the High Court that will try Kony and other LRA rebels
implicated in serious crimes and violations.

Barney Afako, a lawyer for the Juba peace talks secretariat, on Wednesday
explained to religious, traditional, local leaders and MPs from the
war-affected region that there is no death sentence upon conviction by the
special court.

During a two-day meeting at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, Afako clarified that
there shall be no provisional arrests pending investigations and charges
will only be on the basis of investigation.

After a charge has been preferred, under the current law, there is power
to detain and to discharge. The LRA combatants will be tried by the
Special Division, while the rest will undergo mato oput (traditional
justice).

The meeting was organised by the Acholi justice and reconciliation project
to educate Kony's emissaries so as to give him confidence that the
Government has no ulterior motives in the peace process.

The team of emissaries returned to Juba, South Sudan, where they would
join the chief mediator, Dr. Riek Machar, before proceeding to meet Kony
in his Ri-Kwangba hide-out.

(source: Sunday Vision)






WALES:

Death penalty is common sense


THE argument with regard to the death penalty has been raised in
Viewpoints recently.

Mr WT Surringer (April 9) advocates its reintroduction, while Clive
Sydenham (April 15) is of the opinion it would be a mistake.

Every occasion when this subject arises, the only valid objection to
reintroducing the penalty is we may hang innocent people.

It seems to me objectors simply haven't thought the issue through. In
modern times, with the advancement of forensic science, notably DNA, there
is no doubt in many cases.

I do not know the statistics but I would think the majority of convictions
for murder or rape are not in doubt with regard to guilt.

Surely if, on occasion, there is an element of doubt guilty parties could
be given a life sentence as at present. The point is there is no
obligation to commit to the death penalty in all cases.

However, where there is no doubt of guilt the death penalty seems the only
answer. Why should the taxpayer be burdened with the upkeep of social
inadequates, allegedly living in comfort? Monies saved by dispensing with
these misfits could be far better utilised in helping victims' families.

May I also suggest that if it is wrong to hang a person on the grounds
they may be innocent, isn't it equally wrong to impose a life sentence
(though it is appreciated this is reversible) on the same grounds, or
would objectors suggest the release of the likes of Ian Huntley to prey on
innocent young children?

Were the death penalty to be reintroduced, it would also be a deterrent to
some degree, making potential offenders think twice.

The saving of one precious young life would make it worthwhile in my book.

No, unfortunately, Mr Sydenham, in case you haven't noticed, the civilised
approach, while commendable in theory, has not and is not working, and not
just with respect to the judicial system. We need to restrict such
policies as human rights, which have got way out of control and somehow
resort to reality and common sense.

MK Palmer----Claremont Avenue, Rumney, Cardiff

(source: Letter to the Editor, South Wales Echo)