[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwode

[Rick Halperin]

Dec. 6




SUDAN:

Not the right type of Islam: 27 Muslims are on trial in Sudan for apostasy


Laws which forbid apostasy are controversial in the 21st century to say the 
least. They epitomize the idea of thought-policing, not allowing people to 
change their mind on religion for fear of imprisonment or even death.

While apostasy is normally thought to be the act of leaving one's faith, there 
appear to be other interpretations as well. Sudan has reportedly charged 27 
Muslims with apostasy even though they have not renounced their Islamic faith 
but instead are alleged to be "Quranists" - Muslims who follow the Quran as 
their only guide and do not recognize the Hadith, an additional guide to most 
Muslims.

Under Sudanese law, the accused could face the death penalty if they are 
convicted.

Their lawyer told AFP that investigators told the court that 5 of the 
defendants were arrested at a market last month for talking about their belief 
that the Quran is the only source for religion and that they don't recognize 
the Hadith. The rest of the accused were arrested the following day for the 
same reason.

He added that they are also accused of disrupting public order.

If convicted, the international community may rally behind them to have the 
sentences overturned, as has happened in the past.

Sudan was thrust into the international spotlight last year after sentencing a 
young mother, Mariam Ibrahim, to death for changing her faith from Islam to 
Christianity. After international uproar, the sentence was overturned and she 
moved to the US.

(source: albawaba.com)






SINGAPORE:

Abolishing it totally not a wise idea


The proposal to abolish the mandatory death penalty for serious crimes, 
including drug trafficking and murder, is justified, given that such crimes 
continue to be committed despite the risks involved.

This could be due to offenders' misplaced foolishness, or it could be because 
of the ineffectiveness of the death penalty.

However, to abolish the death penalty completely may not be a wise move. Those 
committing human and organ trafficking and terrorism should face the prospect 
of being sent to the gallows.

These perpetrators kill and endanger the lives of others. Therefore, they 
should face the music for their crimes.

While masterminds face death for their crimes, their accomplices may be given 
lighter sentences, such as life imprisonment and caning. It is important that 
these criminals be given the opportunity to turn over a new leaf.

Family members, friends and counsellors should support them.

People may feel that the suggestion to make amendments to the Dangerous Drugs 
Act will improve the situation.

However, there may be people influencing others by convincing them that they no 
longer have to fear the death penalty.

Parents and educators should remind children and youth to stay away from 
negative influences and weigh the pros and cons before making decisions.

Should they encounter difficulties in life, they should share their problems 
with family members, teachers or counsellors so that they will not engage in 
immoral activities.

When everyone plays their role, we can reduce the crime rate, especially 
drug-related offences, even with the abolition of the mandatory death sentence.

We are reminded about the importance of equal treatment to show fairness, but 
when it comes to crime and criminals, the concept is irrelevant. The severity 
of their offences will determine what they deserve.

MUHAMAD SOLAHUDIN RAMLI, Marang, Terengganu

(source: Letter to the Editor, New Straits Times)






INDIA:

Derogatory Remarks Row: Hindu Mahasabha Leader Arrested


The situation was pacified and the mob was dispersed after Tiwari's arrest. 
They were demanding action against Tiwari for making remarks and circulating 
pamphlets against their community.

At Deoband, hundreds of Muslims staged protest against the alleged remarks.

Meanwhile, even as there was palpable tension in in Saharanpur and Deoband 
areas, Hindu Mahasabha members released a public statement saying Tiwari is not 
a working president of their party and that the name of their party was being 
wrongly used to tarnish their image and create conflict in the region. The call 
was supported by all the sects of the Muslims including Shia, Sunni, Barelvi, 
Deobandi, Daudi Bohras and others and Imams of all the sects participated in 
the agitation and jointly demanded death penalty from the Government of India 
for anyone who makes derogatory remarks against other religion and its Gods and 
prophets.

Tiwari was claimed to be associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha.

Mufti Amir Jamal of AIMIM said, "We respect the law hence demands from the 
government to respect our sentiments and punish the ABHM leader with death 
penalty so that an example is set for all those who commit similar offence".

(source: Press telegraph)






JAPAN:

Artist, former death-row inmate Hirasawa's supporters try to put paintings in 
museums


Supporters of a former death-row inmate who left a large trove of paintings 
when he passed away in prison in 1987 are trying to have his works put in 
museums to pass them on to future generations.

Sadamichi Hirasawa, who died in prison at age 95, always maintained his 
innocence in the poisoning deaths of 12 people at a branch of the Teikoku Bank 
in 1948 for which he was convicted. Hirasawa's supporters have contacted the 
city museum of art in his hometown of Otaru, Hokkaido, about accepting numerous 
works created before the poisoning. They are also looking for places to donate 
hundreds of pieces he made in prison.

Hirasawa was known as a leading figure in tempera painting in Japan. Before 
World War II he studied under Taikan Yokoyama, a master of Japanese-style 
painting. His subjects included the open spaces and nature of his native 
Hokkaido. His works were repeatedly accepted to the Teikoku Bijutsuin Tenrankai 
art exhibition, and he received permission to have his works displayed without 
having to go through the regular screening at the subsequent Monbusho Bijutsu 
Tenrankai art exhibition. Both exhibitions are predecessors of the Japan Fine 
Arts Exhibition, also known as Nitten.

After the poisoning case, however, Hirasawa's reputation as an artist 
fluctuated. While some of his works were kept at the prime minister's office, 
many others went missing. A man who became Hirasawa's adoptive child in 1981 to 
support a campaign for a retrial traveled around the country collecting 
Hirasawa's paintings. When the man died in 2013, many of these hundreds of 
works were left in the hands of Hirasawa's supporters.

Some of the works have started to show clear signs of deterioration, and 
Hirasawa's supporters, including 83-year-old movie director Eizo Yamagiwa, 
began searching for somewhere to donate the works to pass them on to future 
generations. This year, they suggested to the Otaru art museum that it accept 
numerous Hirasawa paintings from before the poisoning incident.

A representative for the museum says, "Hirasawa cultivated painters in Otaru, 
and otherwise endeavored to advance the growth of art. His works are very 
precious, and if certain conditions are met, we want to accept them."

Among the paintings are ones that were apparently seized temporarily by 
investigators to estimate Hirasawa's financial condition at the time of the 
poisoning incident.

Through donating the hundreds of Hirasawa illustrations from when he was in 
prison, his supporters also want to create an opportunity for people to think 
about the appropriateness of the death penalty system.

"Looking mainly at private museums, we want to find a place that will, as much 
as is possible, accept all the works," says a supporter.

In November this year, relatives of Hirasawa applied for the 20th time for a 
retrial. Nearly 70 years have passed since the poisoning incident, however, and 
many of Hirasawa's supporters are now elderly.

(source: The Mainichi)






MALAYSIA:

Thai woman, Malaysian lover held for attempting to smuggle drugs


A Thai woman and her Malaysian lover were arrested on Saturday night for 
attempting to smuggle drugs here.

Langkawi police chief Supt Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said 387g of heroin, 9.5g 
of syabu and seven Eramin 5 pills were found in a sling bag after they were 
nabbed at the Kuah Jetty Point Complex at 9pm.

"A Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division team conducting 'Ops Tapis' 
arrested the couple after observing their suspicious behaviour," he said.

The couple were investigated under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs 
Act 1952 which carries the death penalty upon conviction.

They were also probed under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Forfeiture of Property) 
1985 to trace and seize assets derived from drug trafficking activities.

(source: The Star)






BANGLADESH:

Oishee appeals against death penalty


Oishee Rahman has appealed to the High Court against the death sentence awarded 
to her for killing her parents. Oishee's lawyer Masud Rana submitted the appeal 
to the court on Sunday afternoon.

In the appeal, Oishee sought acquittal from the death sentence. She also sought 
bail in the case.

On November 12, Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal 3 Judge Syed Ahmed sentenced Oishee 
to death for killing her parents, inspector Mahfuzur Rahman of the Special 
Branch of Police and his wife Swapna Rahman.

Besides, the court sentenced Oishee's friend Mizanur Rahman Rony to 2 years' 
rigorous jail and fined him Tk5,000 for helping Oishee in the murder of her 
parents.

In case of defaulting the fine, Rony will have to serve a month in jail.

The court acquitted Jony of the charges. The court also said Oishee was not a 
juvenile at the time of the murder. According to the case statement, the bodies 
of Mahfuzur and Swapna were found at their Chamelibagh residence on August 16, 
2013.

Oishee, who had taken her O-level examination, surrendered at Paltan police 
station the following day.

Later, police arrested their house help Khadiza Khatun Sumi, and Oishee's 
friends Jony and Rony.

(source: dhakatribune.com)