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

[Rick Halperin]

August 16



PAKISTAN:

Family in more talks as countdown to execution continues


The family of a Leeds man on death row in Pakistan was today preparing to
receive the latest bulletin on the diplomatic battle to save his life.

Mirza Tahir Hussain's brother, Amjad, will travel to London on Thursday
for a meeting with the head of the Foreign Office's consular section.

He will be updated about the progress of negotiations between the British
Government and the authorities in Pakistan as the countdown continues to
Mr Hussain's execution.

The talks are also due to be attended by representatives of Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch.

Today Amjad, a 38-year-old scientist from Headingley, said: "To date,
diplomacy has not achieved a great deal for us. With time running out for
my brother, however, we cannot give up hope.

"We desperately want to hear some good news on Thursday.

"Whatever the word is, though, we will keep on fighting to the bitter
end."

Mr Hussain, 36, has been behind bars since his 1989 conviction for the
murder of a taxi driver during a holiday in Pakistan's Chakwal district.

He claims he acted in self defence after the cabbie tried to sexually
assault him. The conviction was overturned in the Pakistani High Court,
but he was retried under Sharia law which reinstated the death penalty.

The former Lawnswood High School pupil's hanging has been postponed 3
times since May. His present stay of execution runs out on September 1.

(source: Leeds Today)






INDONESIA:

Delayed execution stirs controversy


The decision to grant 3 men in Central Sulawesi a stay of execution has
caused much controversy, with legislators suggesting they be moved to
another prison and protesters in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, demanding
their lives be spared.

Legislator Ali Muchtar Ngabalin, who sits on House of Representatives
Commission I for political affairs, said Fabianus Tibo, Marinus Riwu and
Dominggus da Silva should be transferred to Nusakambangan Penitentiary in
Central Java to isolate them from external influences or pressures.

The government delayed the execution of the three men by firing squad just
hours before it was due to be held at 12:15 a.m. Saturday. They were
sentenced to death for inciting riots in connection with sectarian
violence in Poso in 2000, in which 191 people, mostly Muslims, were
killed.

"As the case developed, Tibo made many conflicting statements, that's why
they should be detained in a neutral environment," he told The Jakarta
Post by phone Monday.

Initially, he said, Tibo did not deny claims that 16 other people were
responsible for instigating the violence in Poso. But he later revoked his
statement, changing the 16 people to 10.

"These conflicting statements mean someone has been feeding him
information," Ali said.

He said Tibo had also changed his mind about some of the names he had
given police.

"So, Nusakambangan is the right place for Tibo and his friends."

Ali questioned the government's move to delay the execution for a 3rd
time. "There should be an honest explanation," he said.

Tibo's family in Palu said they were thankful for the extra time.

His wife, Nurlin Kasiala, managed a smile for reporters Monday, while his
children, Robert and Angki, appeared relaxed.

"But our fight is not yet over, we're still worried," Robert said.

The three convicts are being held in adjacent isolation rooms.

Muslim students and activists in Poso have raised plan to protest against
the decision to delay the execution Monday.

"... We'll see if the government stands by its decision to carry out the
execution after the Independence Day celebrations. If it's postponed
again, we'll stage a massive rally," said Muhammad Syarif, the chairman of
the Palu Islamic Students Association.

Independence Day is celebrated on Aug. 17.

Protesters in Kupang, angered by the stay of the execution,obstructed main
thoroughfares and burned tires Monday.

They congregated outside the East Nusa Tenggara Prosecutor's Office,
demanding that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono grant clemency to the 3
men.

Tibo, they said, had been led "like a lamb to the slaughter" for political
interests.

"The masterminds of the bloody incident have been exposed in new evidence
presented by the three death-row convicts in their appeal. Why aren't they
brought to justice...," said protest coordinator Kristo.

(source:  Jakarta Post)