[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

May 17




BANGLADESH:

6 get death penalty for killing city AL leader, his driver


A court here on Tuesday sentenced 6 people to death and 2 others to life term 
imprisonment for killing an Awami League leader and his driver in 2011.

The condemned convicts are-Raihan Khokon, Mohammad Hira, Zakir Hossain, Javed 
Prince, Jummon and Arif Hossain. Of them, Raihan and Amir were tried in 
absentia.

The lifers are-Shariful Islam and Kala Amir. Shariful secured bail from the 
court and since then he remained absconding.

According to the prosecution, senior vice-president of AL Kadamtoli thana unit 
Mohammad Ullah, also a freedom fighter and his driver Harunur Rashid were 
stabbed to death by some miscreants over previous enmity in the city's Juraine 
area on 23 February 2011.

A case was filed with Kadamtoli Police Station.

Police submitted a chargesheet against 12 people on 31 October 2011.

After examining the records and witnesses, Dhaka 4th Additional Metropolitan 
Session Judge Jahedul Kabir handed down the verdict acquitting four other 
accused as allegations brought against them were not proved.

(source: businessnews24bd.com)






THAILAND:

Documentary raises new questions about Koh Tao murder, Myanmar migrants


Koh Tao Island has long been an ideal destination for backpackers, avid divers 
and more increasingly Myanmar migrant workers. Located some 400km away from 
Bangkok, the small island has earned a reputation of being the best spot for 
viewing sea turtles, whale sharks and other wildlife.

But in the past decade the island has become synonymous with a series of 
crimes, particularly the brutal murders of British backpackers, Hannah 
Witheridge and David Miller who were found dead on Sairee beach in September 
2014.

2 Myanmar migrant workers, Win Zaw Tun and Zaw Lin were arrested and given the 
death penalty for the murders shortly after the bodies were found. However, 
Myanmar authorities and human rights leaders called for an appeal against the 
case, as the 2 men have insisted their innocence.

Following a spate of protests over human rights abuses within Thai prisons and 
from the Thai police, a committee of Myanmar lawyers, migrant workers and human 
rights CSOs came together to conduct an independent investigation.

Such is the backdrop for the newest documentary following the case. Echo from 
Koh Tao Island was screened for the 1st time in Yangon's Orchid Hotel on May 
12, following a press conference.

Lawyers and migrants rights groups sent an appeal against the case in December 
2015 which was rejected just three months ago when Thai authorities confirmed 
the death sentence for the 2 men. On March 3 a group of Myanmar authorities 
tried to meet with the Thai Ambassador to try to appeal once more.

According to the Associated Press, the appeal deadline has been extended to May 
23, 2017. Though Echo from Koh Tao Island comes 3 years after the crime, the 
film raises questions about tourism, migration and international law as the 
case has still yet to have an end.

The 30 minute documentary was created by the Special Investigative committee on 
the Koh Tao case to show to Myanmar parliament MPs.

U Htoo Chit, a member of the Special Investigative committee and CEO of an 
education and development foundation for Myanmar migrants said, "The main 
reason for creating this documentary was to lay down the facts and ask for 
fairness, peace and justice and to stop extremists who add fire to the crisis."

He continued, "Extremists make the crisis even greater," referencing a growing 
tension between Myanmar and Thailand as more and more Myanmar migrants cross 
the border in search of work.

"The extremists are separately making a crisis out of the Koh Tao case. We have 
to ask peacefully to search for the truth. We do not want to create more 
tensions," he said.

Some migrant rights advocates have argued that there may have been 
discrepancies in the case's evidence and CCTV records as well as potential 
discrimination on the part of the Thai policemen and judge.

Moe Wai, a member of the Special Investigations committee and organiser for 
Myanmar migrants in Thailand believed the judges may have had implicit bias 
when deciding the sentencing.

"The judge may decide using his personal opinions but it is best to solve this 
with professional standards. We, ordinary people, cannot become involved nor 
have a sway in the system of law and order."

An MP in the documentary was quoted saying, "government, a jury and experts 
should jointly participate in this issue by pressing for checks and balances 
and asking for the truth."

Family members of Win Zaw Tun and Zaw Lin have pleaded in the film, "We want 
our sons back...we're their parents and we want the truth."

The committee has asked the local broadcasting department to screen Echo from 
Koh Tao Island free on the air but the broadcasting department has yet to 
reply. According to an authority from the committee, plans are underway to 
broadcast the film online.

(source: The Myanmar Times)






PHILIPPINES:

Tagle: Find ways to fight crime without death penalty


A high-ranking Catholic church leader said the "Lakbay Buhay" is an opportunity 
to find ways of fighting crimes without resorting to capital punishment.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was referring to the 21-day march 
against the death penalty which started in Mindanao last May 4.

"The march that started in Mindanao to end up in the Philippine Senate gives us 
an opportunity to find ways of fighting crimes, for all crimes violate life, 
but without resorting to measures that also violate life, like capital 
punishment," read his May 12 circular letter.

Tagle invited priests, religious communities, and lay faithful to support the 
lay initiative by joining the Eucharistic celebration of Lakbay Buhay at the 
University of Santo Tomas in Manila on Sunday, May 21 at 5 p.m.

"With personal and collective study, prayer, discernment and action, we hope to 
be a people that promote a culture of life," said Tagle.

Earlier, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Lingayen 
Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas also called on his fellow prelates to 
support the anti-death penalty march caravan.

(source: Manila Bulletin)