[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Oct. 28



JAPAN----executions

Japan hangs 2 prisoners----Hangings are 1st since 3 inmates were executed
in mid-September

9 inmates were executed in 2007

Stepped-up executions in past years have brought protests from advocacy
groups

There are about 100 people on death row in Japan


Japan executed 2 death-row inmates Tuesday, bringing the total number of
prisoners hanged this year to 15, a news report said.

The hangings, reported by Kyodo News agency, were the 1st since 3 inmates
were executed in mid-September.

Japan in recent years has increased the pace of its executions, which are
not announced beforehand and are carried out in secret. 9 inmates were
executed in 2007.

The 2 hanged on Tuesday were Michitoshi Kuma, 70, and Masahiro Takashio,
55, Kyodo reported, citing the Justice Ministry. The report did not detail
their crimes.

The stepped-up pace of executions over the past few years have brought
strong protests from advocacy groups such as Amnesty International, though
capital punishment has public support in Japan.

There are about 100 people on death row in Japan.

(source: Associated Press)

**************************

Japan executes 2 inmates: official


Japan on Tuesday executed 2 death-row inmates, a justice ministry
spokesman said.

"2 people were executed today," the spokesman said. He did not immediately
release other details.

Jiji Press said the executed inmates were aged 70 and 55.

The executions are the 1st since conservative Prime Minister Taro Aso took
office last month.

Japan, the only major industrial nation other than the United States to
use the death penalty, has been stepping up the pace of executions, which
enjoy wide public support.

(source: Agence France-Presse)

**************************

2 more inmates executed in Japan


Dear friends,

Today (Oct. 28), 2 death row inmates were executed in Japan: 1 in Fukuoka
and the other in Sendai.

Michitoshi KUMA, age 70, was condemned to death in October 2006 by the
Supreme Court. He was accused of murdering 2 young girls (both 7 years
old) in February 1992. He claimed his innocence throughout the trial but
courts found him guilty based on the result of DNA test conducted by
police, while the other result of the test by Teikyo University was
negative.

Masahiro TAKASHIO. Age 55, was originally sentenced to life imprisonment
by Iwaki Branch of Fukushima District Court,

But Sendai High Court overturned the decision and sentenced him to death.
He withdrew his appeal to the Supreme Court and the sentence became final.

He is the 1st executed inmate who's original sentence was life
imprisonment AND who's sentence was convicted without exhausting his right
to appeal after executions were resumed in 1993. He was accused of
murdering 83-year-old mother and her 55-year-old daughter and robbery of
about 50,000 yen (approx. 500 US dollars)

Today, based on consideration of the 5th review of Japan by HRC,
concluding observation and recommendations are to be adopted by the
Committee.

These executions are an apparent challenge against international community
which requires moratorium in Japan.

Please disseminate this information.

Best regards,

Maiko TAGUSARI----Center for Prisoners' Rights






INDONESIA:

Don't kill Bali bombers - activists


A MAJOR international human rights group today called on Indonesia's
president to commute the death sentences of the 3 Islamic militants
responsible for the 2002 Bali bombings.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said the death penalty was not an
appropriate punishment for the 3, despite condemning the terrorist attacks
as "horrific and inexcusable acts".

It has written an open letter to Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono urging him to halt the executions.

"We write to urge you to commute the death sentences of Amrozi bin H.
Nurhasyim, Ali Ghufron (aka Mukhlas), and Imam Samudera, 3 men who are
facing imminent execution," Human Rights Watch wrote.

Indonesian officials last week announced the 3 men will face a firing
squad over the attacks in early November.

It has stepped up security at major "vital installations" across the
archipelago to guard against possible attacks in the lead up to, and after
the executions.

Australia also has updated its travel warning for Indonesia, warning the
imminent execution of the 3 men would compound an already significant
terrorism risk.

The extremists have publicly threatened there will be retribution if they
are put to death over their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed
202 people, including 88 Australians.

Human Rights Watch said the death penalty was cruel and final, and not
appropriate as the 3 were tried and sentenced under laws introduced after
the bombings.

It said Indonesia was a party to the International Convention on Civil and
Political Rights which prohibits the use of retroactive criminal laws.

"We also note that there is no clear evidence that the application of the
death penalty serves as a more effective deterrent against criminal
activity than other forms of punishment."

The human rights group said it was "deeply concerned" Indonesia had
recently begun increasing the rate of executions, contrary to a global
trend against the use of the death penalty.

"We understand that the three men have refused to ask for clemency, yet we
urge you in the strongest terms to use your powers to halt the executions
of Amrozi bin H. Nurhasyim, Ali Ghufron (aka Mukhlas) and Imam Samudera,"
it said.

"Rather than allow the executions to go forward, you should commute the
men's sentences to life in prison."

(source: The Australian)






NIGERIA:

Imo with the highest number inmates on death rowAmnesty International


Amnesty International (AI) has described the 56 people currently on death
row in Imo State, including one woman, three child-offenders and a 90-year
old man, as "the highest figure in the country."

Speaking when he led a delegation of AI officials to the Imo State
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prince Ken C.O. Njemanze,
the leader of the team, Mr. Aster van Kregten, described the 90-year old
man as "the oldest known death row prisoner in the country."

While raising serious concerns regarding the death penalty in Imo State,
the delegation also renewed its appeal concerning the case of Patrick
Okoroafor, a 28-year old man, who has been in prison since the age of 14.

"It is a matter for regret that Patrick Okoroafor has spent his young life
in prison and Amnesty International is very concerned about his health,"
Aster van Kregten said.

The leader of the delegation, who doubles as Amnesty International's
researcher on Nigeria, urged the Attorney General to use all of the power
at his disposal to achieve the long-overdue release of Okoroafor.

(source: The Vanguard)