[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Nov. 28



JORDAN:

Jordan seeks death penalty for Zarqawi in chemical plot


AIn Amman, Jordans state prosecutor on Sunday demanded death penalty for
the Al Qaeda leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and 11 other suspects
accused of plotting a chemical bomb attack on intelligence services.

"The prosecutor wrapped up his case in the trial by demanding the maximum
penalty (death) for 12 suspects," a judicial source told AFP.

A 13th suspect is being accused of a misdemeanour in the trial, in which 4
of the suspects, including Zarqawi, are being tried in absentia.

Zarqawi, the most wanted man in Iraq where he has a US bounty of $25
million on his head, has already been sentenced to death by Jordans State
Security Court for the October 2002 murder of a US diplomat in Amman.

The nine suspects in the dock, including alleged ringleader Azmi Jayussi,
and the fugitives are accused of plotting, on Zarqawis orders, an attack
on Jordans intelligence agency using trucks loaded with 20 tons of
chemicals.

In addition to "conspiracy to plotting terrorist acts," the prosecutor has
accused them of membership in the outlawed Al-Tawheed Brigades
organisation, as well as possession and manufacture of explosives and
weapons.

(source: Agence France Presse)






SINGAPORE:

Artist's protest against death penalty silenced by Singapore censorship


TONY EASTLEY: Singapore is a shopper's paradise and a protestor's
nightmare.

It's illegal for more than 4 people to have an outside protest unless it's
licensed, so open dissent in the island state is rare.

In 1989, post-Tiananmen Square Chinese populations around the world
demonstrated publicly against Beijing's brutal crackdown, but not in
Singapore.

So this week's execution of a convicted Australian drug smuggler isn't
likely to cause any waves at all.

Indeed, the Singaporean Government is confident the majority of its
citizens agree with its tough stance on drugs.

But as Lisa Millar reports from Singapore, there is one small group of
local artists who are feeling the heavy hand of Singapore's censorship
over Van Nguyen's case.

LISA MILLAR: Singapore's Lasalle College of Art invited students from
around the world to spend 2 weeks observing life before showcasing their
work.

ANNOUNCER: From Slovenia, Matija.

(Sound of applause)

LISA MILLAR: Matija Milkovic Biloslav from Slovenia produced a piece
featuring a dozen nooses hanging from the ceiling, beneath them upturned
stools.

Only one chair was standing, on it a rope and a card that read C856 - Van
Nyugen's prison number.

Tonight's 7.30 Report reveals just how sensitive Singaporeans are about
the death penalty. We were stopped from speaking to the artist. And the
school's director objected, saying she wasn't dressed well enough for an
interview.

AVIS FONTAINE: Oh well, we don't mind. I'm really not looking my best for
this (laughs).

LISA MILLAR: Off camera she said she thought the artwork was about
suicide. Her staff said any connection to Van Nguyen was a coincidence.

The school's dean, Milenko Pravachi, a Singaporean resident for more than
a decade, said the student didn't intend to make a statement.

MILENKO PRAVACHI: They're looking for some kind of attractions, they're
looking for some of the issues that they maybe want to highlight or
question what is really normal, but I don't think that it's anything like
a political statement in this case.

LISA MILLAR: Andy Ho, a senior writer with the Straits Times, says
Singapore is unfairly portrayed as a tightly controlled nation.

ANDY HO: So the freedoms are always there. I don't think protests or
dissent has been stifled at all. If people want to stand up and be
counted, they are always free to do so. I sincerely think and believe and
am convinced that the Government has no problem.

LISA MILLAR: But the college had a problem with this piece of art.

The day after the 7.30 Report's visit, the nooses remained but the card
with Van Nguyen's prison number was blank. Other media were stopped from
taking photos.

Andy Ho, though, says Singaporeans aren't sensitive about the decision to
execute Van Nguyen; the death penalty still wins overwhelming support.

ANDY HO: Whether the law will be changed or not will depend, I think, on
political developments in the future. But as it stands, absolutely,
whoever breaks the law, regardless of nationality, will face a mandatory
death sentence.

TONY EASTLEY: Andy Ho, a senior writer at The Straits Times newspaper in
Singapore.

(source: ABC Radio News)