[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Sept. 22




IRAN----executions

A man and a Woman Executed on Murder Charges----A man and a woman were executed 
in 2 different Iranian prisons on murder charges.



A man was reportedly hanged at Mashhad Central Prison on murder charges, and a 
woman was reportedly hanged at Zanjan Central Prison on murder charges.

According to the state-run news agency, Khorassan News, the prisoner at Mashhad 
Central Prison, was executed on the morning of Monday September 18. The report 
did not identify the name of the prisoner, but identified his age as 29.

According to the state-run news agency, Mehr News, the execution at Zanjan 
Central Prison was carried out on Tuesday September 19. The woman was 
identified only by the initials N.A.

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

Man Hanged, Prison Mates Forced to Watch



On Monday September 18, at least 1 prisoner was reportedly hanged on sodomy 
charges at Ardabil Central Prison.

According to close sources, prison authorities forced approximately 50 prison 
mates to watch the execution being carried out. Close sources have identified 
the prisoner as Shahin Parsajoo, 42 years of age.

Shahin Parsajoo and another prisoner by the name of Tofigh Yousefi were 
reportedly transferred to solitary confinement on Sunday September 17 in 
preparation for their executions. Close sources say Tofigh Yousefi, who is on 
death row on drug related charges, was not executed and is currently held in 
solitary confinement.

"Shahin was arrested in 2012 on theft charges, but he was sentenced to death 
for committing a sodomy offense in prison," an informed source tells Iran Human 
Rights.

Iranian official sources, including the Judiciary and the media, have not 
announced Shahin Parsajoo's execution.

(source fopr both: Iran Human Rights)

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

Increased Public Executions on the Eve of Moslem Holy Month to Intimidate 
People



Trying to prevent the public protests by intensifying the atmosphere of terror 
and intimidation in the society on the eve of the Islamic holy month of 
Muharram, Iranian regime has increased the public executions in various streets 
and prisons of the country.

Just between September 12 and 20, 5 prisoners, including a 27-year-old youth in 
Islamabad, another prisoner in Anbarabad city in Kerman province, (September 
12), a prisoner in Modarres Blvd in Ilam (September 17), a prisoner at the the 
Salmas municipality square (September 14), as well as another prisoner in Pars 
Abad, Moghan, in Ardebil province, were hanged in front of the public eyes.

Meanwhile, 6 prisoners were hanged in the prisons of Ardebil, Boroujerd, 
Khorramabad, Mashad and Zanjan on September 18 and 18. A female prisoner was 
among the executed on September 18. On September 19, a 23-year-old man was 
executed while he was sentenced to 3 years in prison for robbery, but was 
sentenced to death in a new pumped up charge.

The henchmen hanged him along with another prisoner, while their hands and feet 
were in the chain. On the order of the criminal prosecutor of Ardabil, about 50 
prisoners had to watch the execution scene of their cellmates.

In another event, 13 prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement cells 
of Gohardasht Prison since Saturday September 18, for execution.

The Iranian Resistance calls on the international human rights organizations to 
urgently and effectively stop the executions of those prisoners on the verge of 
death, and insists that the greatest thieves and the greatest killers and 
criminals of Iranian history are Khamenei and the ruling fascist gangs, who, 
without any accountability, continue their plunder and crimes for the past 38 
years. Therefore, Khamenei and other leaders of the mullahs' regime must be 
brought to justice for serious and systematic violations of human rights and 
collective and arbitrary executions, and this is why their case should be 
referred to the International Criminal Court by the UN Security Council.

(source: Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran)








MALAYSIA:

Tahfiz fire: Stop calling for the death penalty, they're minors



The 7 youths held over the tahfiz fire last Thursday cannot be punished with 
the death penalty as they are underage, said Minister in the Prime Minister's 
Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said that the suspects will be tried in accordance with laws such as 
Section 97 (1) of the Child Act 2001.

However, if the suspects are found guilty of murder, the mandatory death 
penalty cannot be imposed on them, she said in a statement Thursday.

The offenders may also be punished under Section 91 (1) of the Act, which 
includes whipping, fines or detention at an approved school.

Police have confirmed that the 7, aged between 11 and 18, were detained for 
murder and causing mischief in connection with the fire on Sept 14.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun also said that the 
parents of the suspects would not be charged as they had nothing to do with the 
case.

Azalina said the incident should be used as a lesson for all parties, 
especially parents, in the fight against crime involving children.

"I urge all parties to stop speculating and give space to the authorities to 
complete the investigation.

"I believe the case will be brought to justice," she said.

The early morning fire at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah school resulted in the 
deaths of 21 students and 2 teachers.

(source: thestar.com.my)








PAKISTAN:

Pakistan's Army Chief Ratifies Death Penalty against 4 Terrorists



Pakistan''s Army Chief Qamar Jawed Bajwa has ratified death penalty against 4 
men convicted in military courts for committing several terrorist acts, today 
reported the body.

A statement from the Army's Inter-Services Public Relations said that the 
accused participated in attacks, kidnappings and killings of soldiers.

They were involved in the death of 21 people, stressed the text of the military 
body.

On January 3, 2015, Parliament overwhelmingly approved the establishment of 
military courts to try cases of terrorism after a Taliban commando's attack on 
a school a month earlier in Peshawar, which caused over 150 deaths, mostly 
children and young people.

The massacre shocked national public opinion and led the army to intensify a 
military offensive against that radical organization in areas bordering 
Afghanistan.

8 months later, the Supreme Court sanctioned the establishment of these 
instances, whose sentences must be ratified by the high command of the Armed 
Forces.

(source: Prensa Latina)

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

Bahawalpur court awards death penalty to 2 in murder case



A court awarded death sentences to 2 murder convicts in Bahawalpur on Thursday.

The judgment was announced by District and Sessions Judge Cahudhry Muhammad 
Tariq Javed. The prosecution told the court that accused Maqsood Ahmed and 
Arshad had gunned down Muhammad Shafiq and injured Munir Gul during a robbery 
bid.

The local police registered a case against the accused and presented the 
challan before the court.

After hearing the arguments, the judge handed down death sentences to Maqsood 
and Arshad and awarded an additional 20 years imprisonment on other accounts. 
The judge also imposed a fine of Rs1 million on the convicts.

Earlier, a court awarded a death sentence to a murder convict and three years 
imprisonment to two others for their involvement in a murder case in 
Faisalabad. The judgment was announced by Additional Sessions Judge Khalid 
Saeed Wattoo.

The prosecution told the court that accused Yasir Abbas, Noman, Adnan and Bilal 
had gunned down their rival Ali Ahsan over enmity some 3 years back.

The local police registered a case against the accused and presented the 
challan before the court. After hearing the arguments, the judge handed down 
death sentence to Yasir and awarded 3 years jail term to Adnan and Bilal. 
However, the court declared Noman as a proclaimed offender.

(source: The Express Tribune)



CAMEROON:

Journalists face death penalty in Cameroon crises



Journalists in Cameroon are facing the increasing threat of jail and death 
penalty for coverage of the Boko Haram terror group and the civil unrest by 
English-speaking communities.

The crackdown on the press largely reporting on the government's alleged laxity 
against the problems has left journalists too scared to cover such sensitive 
issues.

Media professionals arrested under the draconian anti-terror law face military 
tribunal and harsh sentences including capital punishment.

Among these is radio broadcaster, Ahmed Abba, is currently serving a ten-year 
sentence and could still be executed.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said Cameroon was clearly using 
anti-state legislation to silence criticism in the press.

"When you equate journalism with terrorism, you create an environment where 
fewer journalists are willing to report on hard news for fear of reprisal," the 
organisation's regional director, Angela Quintal, said.

The media rights group said despite a presidential decree ending legal 
proceedings against at least four journalists, the law that was used against 
them is still in place as next year's elections approach.

"Cameroon must amend its laws and stop subjecting journalists - who are 
civilians - to military trial," Quintal said.

The Central African country of 23 million people is besieged by deadly protests 
by English communities decrying alleged marginalisation by a government 
dominated by French-speaking Cameroonians, including President Paul Biya.

It is also facing a terror threat by the Nigerian Islamist Boko Haram radicals.

(source: CAJ News)








LIBERIA:

PYJ promises death penalty



Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) presidential candidate Sen. 
Prince Y. Johnson says when elected president, anyone caught in ritualistic 
killing and found guilty in court will be hung upside down from 6am to 6pm.

The Nimba Senator told a group of Liberians on Wednesday, 20 September at the 
Dry Rice Market Community in Gardnerville that under his administration, 
security will protect all from ritualistic killing.

The wartime leader of defunct rebel group Independent National Patriotic Front 
of Liberia (INPFL), now Nimba Senator Mr. Johnson says under his rule as 
president, armed robbers will no longer disturb peaceful citizens because when 
they are caught and found guilty, they will be dealt with through the law.

While vowing drastic actions against ritualistic killers and armed robbers, 
Sen. Johnson apologizes to Liberians for the role he played during the war that 
dethroned and witnessed the murder of sitting President Samuel K. Doe. The MDR 
presidential candidate says he was just an instrument being used for 
liberation.

Turning to other matters of national concern, Sen. Johnson claims that under 
his rule, Liberia will not depend on any foreign aid for development, promising 
a new Liberia in which justice will be for all and not few.

He accuses ruling Unity Party (UP) presidential candidate Vice President Joseph 
Nyumah Boakai of sleeping, alleging that the UP candidate has worked for 42 
years without anything to show.

He believes that what Mr. Boakai could not do in 12 years cannot be done now, 
telling supporters that if Boakai wins the October elections, Liberians should 
buy a bronze casket and set it beside him because they do not know what causes 
him to sleep.

He cautions Liberians that government is not for a family, saying Mr. Boakai's 
running mate House Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay allegedly married and has 2 children 
by Vice President Boakai's niece.

He further alleges that President Ellen Johnson - Sirleaf and Liberty Party 
(LP) presidential candidate Cllr. Charles Burmskine are 2nd cousins. Due to the 
alleged family line between the 2, Sen. Johnson claims that Cllr. Burmskine is 
not critical on the President???s leadership.

He also fired salvos at the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) candidate 
Sen. George Weah, criticizing him for not having a football academy as 
Liberia's soccer icon.

Sen. Johnson professes to be the best person for the Presidency, promising good 
roads, agriculture development, and better living conditions. He calls on 
Liberians not to vote people because they have money, but what they can do.

(source: The New Dawn Liberia)








GAMBIA & MADAGASCAR:

I am really pleased to let you know that Gambia signed the Second Optional 
Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at 
the abolition of the death penalty on 20 September 2017 
(https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/2017/CN.570.2017-Eng.pdf 
[treaties.un.org]) and that Madagascar ratified it on 21 September 2017 
(https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/2017/CN.587.2017-Eng.pdf 
[treaties.un.org]), together with the Optional Protocol to the Convention 
against Torture.

The UN treaty event is currently going on in New York, at the beginning of the 
UN General Assembly, and it is a time when states often ratify international 
treaties 
https://treaties.un.org/pages/TreatyEvents.aspx?path=Treaty/Focus/Page1_en.xml 
[treaties.un.org].

Last year, at the same time, Togo and the Dominican Republic also accessed to 
the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and 
Political Rights.

For more information on the World Coalition's campaign for worldwide 
ratification: www.worldcoalition.org/protocol [www.worldcoalition.org]

(source: Aurelie Placais, WCADP)