[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

May 31



BAHRAIN:

Bahrain MP seeks end to death penalty for crimes


A Bahraini lawmaker yesterday called for the suspension of death penalty
in criminal cases to avoid jeopardising the human rights achievements of
Bahrain after a move to execute a Bangladeshi national who killed his
sponsor's daughter in 2006.

Consultative Council (Shura) Member and Human Rights Activist Faisal Fulad
plans to use his power as legislator to table a proposal in parliament
banning the death penalty in Bahrain with the help of his colleague
lawmakers.

His Majesty the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Thursday ratified the
Bangladeshi's death sentence which will be the third execution in less
than 2 years.

Expectations are high that another Bangladeshi, who slashed the throat of
a Bahraini national over a dispute last week, would meet the same fate.

Fulad said yesterday that the recent revival of death penalties brought
some criticism to the kingdom as according to human rights principles no
one has the right to take away lives.

3 Asians  2 women and 1 man  were executed for their involvement in murder
cases after almost 20 years of the suspension of death penalties in
Bahrain.

Fulad said that ending individuals' lives has been condemned by
international human rights organisations and such punishments should be
avoided in the kingdom.

"As politician and human rights activist, I feel that life sentence is the
best punishments for murderers and high-risk criminals," he said, adding
that killing people as punishments was very cruel, especially if they were
away from their homes and families.

"If you kill murderers they would die before repenting their deeds, but
sentencing them to life imprisonment could allow them to change and become
better persons," he explained.

Fulad feels that judges should be more careful in giving verdicts for
murder cases as not all convicted murderers are guilty as many individuals
executed worldwide turned out to be innocent after their death.

Although Fulad is against death penalties for criminal cases, he supports
such sentence in major national crimes that affect the state security such
as treason or genocide.

(source: Khaleej Times)