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

[Rick Halperin]

March 28


PHILIPPINES:

Death penalty is cruel and morally unacceptable


THIS is in reaction to the news story titled "CBCP backs repeal of death
penalty." (Inquirer, 2/23/06) I wish to congratulate the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP's) Episcopal Commission on Prison
Pastoral Care for convincing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the
death penalty law should be repealed. The President has vowed to work for
that. I admire her for that decision. I strongly support the decision as
well.

I still believe that human life is precious, infinitely more valuable than
any material thing. No one has the authority to take someone's life except
God. Every person has the right to change his life completely for the
better.

Capital punishment is not a deterrent to the most heinous crimes. And it
is cruel and unusual punishment. The Catholic Church deems it morally
unacceptable. Instead of discouraging the commission of murder, capital
punishment brutalizes societies.

I know that the assurance of the President to abolish capital punishment
has been met with a lot of criticisms and doubts. This is because she has
a track record of changing her mind. But, I firmly believe that her
decision is based on her Catholic convictions.

I can see that she was sincere when she made the assurance, and she cant
afford to lose the trust of the people in her.

I urge Filipinos to redouble their efforts to convince the earthly powers
that they have no right to arrogate unto themselves God's exclusive
authority to take away human life.

Let us support efforts in repealing the death penalty law.

RAUL E. PAHAYAC, Capitol University, Corrales Extension, Cagayan de Oro
City (source: Opinion, Philippine Daily Inquirer)






INDONESIA:

2nd clemency plea for death row Indonesian Catholics


The families of 3 Indonesian Catholics sentenced to death for their
alleged role in sectarian violence in 2000 have appealed to the country's
president for clemency.

AsiaNews.it reports that the families of Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus "Domi"
da Silva and Marinus Riwu handed the letter of appeal for clemency to a
presidential spokesperson through their lawyers.

Stephen Roy Rening, who coordinates the 3 men's defence team, issued a
statement at a press conference in Jakarta, explaining the basis for their
request of clemency. He said that "some witnesses have come forward with
new, important developments."

"At least 9 eyewitnesses have testified before a court in Palu last 9
March that Mr Tibo was not present at the location where Muslims were
killed," Mr Rening said.

He said that the claim that "Mr Tibo led an army of 700 Christians against
Poso Muslims on May 14, 2000, is 100 % false."

According to the lawyers, 5 witnesses have provided an alibi for Tibo,
refuting the charge that Tibo was a member of a Christian militia group.

The appeal is the 2nd request of its kind. The 1st unsuccessful appeal was
made in April last year.

The case of the 3 death row prisoners has attracted support from
Christian, human rights and legal aid groups. More than 500 people
attended last week a demonstration in Jakarta calling for the sentence to
be overturned.

(source: Catholic News)