[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Feb. 22


JAPAN:

Few Japanese Want Death Penalty Abolished


Most adults in Japan are in favour of capital punishment, according to a
poll by the Cabinet Office. 61.7 per cent of respondents believe the death
penalty should not be abolished in the future.

Japans constitution - written after the countrys defeat in World War II,
during the American occupation - forbids "cruel" punishments. In 1948, the
Japanese Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty could not be
considered "cruel."

In March 1995, members of the Aum Shinrikyo (Supreme Truth) cult released
nerve gas in the Tokyo subway system, killing 12 people and injuring
thousands more. Public outcry intensified for those responsible for the
attack - including cult founder Shoko Asahara - to be executed. Asahara
was sentenced to death last year.

In Japan, the death penalty is carried out by hanging. Since 1993, 46
people have been executed.

Polling Data

What is your view on capital punishment?

Capital punishment should not be abolished in the future----61.7%

Capital punishment may be abolished in the future if circumstances
change----31.8%

Capital punishment should be abolished, whatever the circumstances----6.0%

(source: Cabinet Office----Methodology: Interviews to 2,048 Japanese
adults, conducted in December 2004. No margin of error was provided.)






NIGERIA:

The Ogwashi Uku High Court in Delta State, Nigeria, sentenced 3 people to
death by hanging for killing a 1 1/2 year old baby boy during a magic
ritual. Those condemned were Sunday Onwochei, 30, Friday Ofili, 26, and
Joseph Ashibogwu, 37. A 4th person, Banwuzia Ubaka, 32, was discharged and
acquitted for lack of evidence.

Mamuzo Erebe, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in the Ministry of
Justice who led the prosecution, had told the court that the accused broke
into the apartment of the Chukwudinma Amamife's mother on October 13, 1999
and snatched him away.

Following investigation, the decomposing head of the boy was later found
in the ceiling of house belonging to Sunday Onwochei's father.

The Nigerian Constitution states at Part II, Chapter IV on Fundamental
Rights, Art.33. (1) that "Every person has a right to life, and no one
shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the
sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been
found guilty in Nigeria."

The death penalty is provided for by the Criminal Code and legislation on
civil disturbances. Armed robbery, murder, treason, and offences against
the State are capital crimes under national law.

Since 1999, 12 northern states have introduced Islamic Sharia law in
criminal justice. The introduction of Sharia law poses a constitutional
problem as the federal constitution declares Nigeria a secular state. The
Constitution of Nigeria, at Part II Article 10 of the general provisions,
states that there is no state religion.

(source: Hands Off Cain)