[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Oct. 16



IRAN:

UN experts slam execution of minors in Iran


United Nations human rights experts expressed "outrage and profound sadness" 
Friday at Iran's execution of 2 juvenile offenders, urging the country to "stop 
killing children."

Fatemeh Salbehi was hanged on Tuesday after being found guilty for killing a 
man she had been forced to marry when she was just 16, becoming the 11th woman 
to be executed in Iran this year, along with around 700 men.

The UN experts pointed to reported flaws in her trial and appeals process, and 
warned her execution was a clear breach of international law banning condemning 
juvenile offenders to death.

They also decried the execution a week earlier of Samad Zahabi, who was 
sentenced to death in March 2013 for killing a fellow shepherd when he was just 
17.

"No notice was provided to Mr. Zahabi's family, nor was the required 48-hour 
notice provided to his lawyer," the experts said in a statement.

Ahmed Shaheed, the UN's top expert on the rights situation in Iran, said the 
two executions were "disturbing examples of surging execution rates and 
questionable fair trial standards in the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The UN expert on summary executions, Christof Heyns, meanwhile slammed the 
executions as "unlawful killings committed by the State, the equivalent of 
murders performed by individuals."

"These are profound tragedies that demean the value of human life and sully the 
reputation of the country," he said, pointing out that "executing a juvenile 
offender, especially after a questionable trial, directly contravenes the 
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the 
Rights of the Child."

"Iran must immediately stop killing children," he insisted.

Dubravka Simonovic, the expert UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, 
highlighted the court's lack of consideration for the circumstances surrounding 
Salbehi's crime, which she said were "emblematic of the struggles victims of 
domestic abuse face in the judicial system."

"We cannot ignore the serious consequences of psychological, sexual and 
physical violence in the home on a woman's physical and psychological health," 
she said.

Highlighting Salbehi's young age at the time of her marriage and her lack of 
consent, Simonovic voiced concern over the high numbers of early and forced 
marriages in Iran.

The 3 experts called on Tehran to immediately establish a moratorium on 
executions and work towards abolishing the death penalty all together.

(source: france24.com)






TANZANIA:

Govt Condemns 'Biased' Albino Film


The government has expressed disappointment over a biased film on the plight of 
people with albinism under the title, "The Boy from Geita" that played down 
efforts by the state and different stakeholders to combat the scourge.

Speaking from the UN Headquarters in New York where the film was meant to be 
shown, the Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Dr 
Pindi Chana, said the government had done a lot including undertaking legal, 
administrative and political measures to stop the misfortune and cruelty.

"President Jakaya Kikwete has vigorously condemned this senseless cruelty and 
demanded an immediate stop. He did not stop there but has taken concrete 
measures. Regrettably, some individuals and entities have transformed the 
plight of our people as a source of generating fame and/or income.

These have resorted to exaggerations, drama and blatant disregard of the 
positive measures taken by the country in collaboration with affected 
communities, religious leaders and local and international non-governmental 
organisations.

Unfortunately, the authors and producers of the film have decided to portray a 
different picture on the ground. The film is meant to show how persons with 
albinism in Tanzania and other parts of Africa live in fear of violent attacks.

The documentary is also meant to inspire more people to be part of the action 
that is needed to create change, but also to celebrate the good work of 
Canadians whose "capacity for goodness' can make a difference.

"But we (Tanzania) are disappointed that the producers and organisers of the 
film have seen no value of engaging the Government of the United Republic of 
Tanzania in an undertaking best served by common objectives and action," she 
said.

Advancing national, regional and global awareness of the human rights situation 
of persons with albinism is a collective responsibility. However, the Deputy 
Minister was explicit on the existence of the challenge saying; "We are not 
denying existence of the horrific tragedies.

Indeed, from 2006 to date, authorities have made about 139 arrests of persons 
suspected of carrying out attacks against persons with albinism.

35 of these were arraigned, 25 cases have been concluded, with 15 convictions 
and 75 acquittals. 13 of the convicted were given the maximum penalty in the 
land (death penalty). Their fate is yet to be decided, owing to Tanzania's 
moratorium on death penalty," she clarified.

She added, that in recognition of the special healthcare requirement of persons 
with albinism, the government guarantees free healthcare for all persons with 
albinism. Key in this endeavour is the prevention of skin cancer to this 
vulnerable group.

"In collaboration with the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) and other 
stakeholders, the government is working to establish a database of all persons 
with disabilities, in a view to ensure their needs are catered for in the 
national and municipal plans.

Among other corrective measures taken include a crackdown on witch doctors and 
traditional healers who are responsible for orchestrating the attacks against 
persons with albinism. Almost 200 witch doctors and traditional healers were 
arrested and 123 had been arraigned.

"Pressure for action at local level will never be meaningful and effective as A 
result of distortions from New York or foreign capitals. As a country we are 
making broadbased interventions driven by the conviction that the tragedy 
confronting our fellow citizens is both a heinous crime and deserves severe 
punishment," she concluded.

(source: Tanzania Daily News)






PAKISTAN:

Pakistan hangs over 200 convicts since March ---- Militancy-hacked Pakistan had 
lifted moratorium on death penalty after deadly gun-and-bomb attack on army-run 
school in Peshawar


With the execution of 5 more convicts, including the killer of a former 
provincial chief minister Thursday, Pakistan has now executed over 200 
prisoners since March following an end to a six-year long de facto ban on 
capital punishment, officials said.

Militancy-hacked Pakistan had lifted the moratorium on the death penalty after 
a deadly gun-and-bomb attack on an army-run school in the northwestern city of 
Peshawar, in which over 140 people, mostly students, were killed by militants 
loyal to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistani activists and international rights groups, including Human Rights 
Watch, had criticized the government's decision.

(source: newsfultoncountry.com)