[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

July 2



ZAMBIA/ANGOLA:

Angolan prisoners eager to return home


In September, Angolans jailed in Zambian prisons will be transferred to their 
country where they will serve the rest of their sentences.

This development follows the signing of a 5-year memorandum of understanding 
(MoU) in 2009 between the 2 neighbouring countries on the transfer of convicts.

Consultations started in 2007 and on April 8 and 9, 2013, modalities of 
implementing the agreement were discussed.

To consolidate the agreement, Angolan Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs Jose 
Bamoquina Zau recently visited Zambia and held consultations with officials in 
the Ministry of Home Affairs and Zambia Prisons Service.

Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato said the outcome of this meeting resulted 
in the signing of 18 warrants for Angolan inmates on March 10, 2015 by Zambia's 
minister of Justice.

The agreement is in line with the Transfer of Convicted Persons Act No. 23 of 
2008 of the Laws of Zambia.

It envisages that for any transfer of convicts to be enforced, there should be 
an agreement between the 2 countries.

The MoU was, however, not executed as earlier anticipated, largely because most 
of the Angolans incarcerated in Zambia were on death penalty, which their 
country abolished.

Currently, there are 30 Angolans serving various sentences in Zambian prisons.

"It must be noted that of the 18 prisoners whose warrants were signed for 
transfer, one convicted prisoner passed away whilst serving his sentence at 
Mukobeko Maximum Prison in Kabwe,??? Mr Chato said during a meeting at the 
Zambia Prisons Service headquarters in Kabwe.

"Also, 2 prisoners served their sentences and were deported by the Immigration 
Authorities to Angola."

Dr Zau, who was accompanied by Angolan Ambassador to Zambia Balbina Silva, is 
happy that Zambia has positively responded to the request to implement the 
5-year prisoner swap agreement.

Despite Zambia and Angola having different laws, Dr Zau noted, the 2 countries' 
treatment of prisoners is almost the same because prisons are run in the same 
manner.

Dr Zau is hopeful that cases of Zambian courts involving Angolans will be 
concluded by September so that those who may be convicted will also be 
transferred to their country.

"We are hoping that all our citizens would be transferred on the same day 
considering the cost of the process," he said.

Dr Zau, who also paid a courtesy call on Central Province deputy permanent 
secretary Ronald Sinyangwe and later addressed Angolan prisoners at Mukobeko 
Maximum Prison, commended President Lungu for commuting the death sentences of 
3 Angolans to life imprisonment.

"We are very happy that those who were sentenced to death had their sentences 
commuted to life," he said. "I would like to thank the President of the 
republic of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, for this initiative."

There is only 1 Zambian serving a 10-year sentence in Angola and another 1 died 
of stroke while serving his sentence in Moxico Province.

"The only Zambian in prison in Angola was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, 
but he has appealed to the Supreme Court of Angola," Dr Zau said, adding, "this 
prisoner will also benefit from the transfer on the actual day."

And Mr Sinyangwe said Zambia and Angola must use the agreement for the benefit 
of both countries.

And addressing the inmates, the visiting Angolan deputy minister said he was in 
Zambia to finalise the prisoner exchange programme and check on their 
well-being.

"All over the world, a prisoner is a prisoner. The only difference is the 
legislation. We are happy that those who were sentenced to death had their 
sentences commuted to life sentences," he said.

He urged the Angolan prisoners to be disciplined as they serve their sentences 
in Zambia.

The Angolans prisoners described Dr Zau and his delegation's visit as a special 
visit and that they were happy to be visited.

Speaking on behalf of the inmates, Victor Chikwikwi said prison life is 
difficult and that they have lost hope.

"We have lost hope. My colleague died last year and another one this year. 
That's why we are saying we have lost hope," Chikwikwi, whose death sentence 
was commuted to life, said.

He said the visit by Dr Zau had revived their hope, especially that they were 
informed that they would be evacuated to Angola.

"We are looking forward to be transferred and we want to be transferred," 
Chikwikwi said.

And Mr Chato said the MoU will become effective on September 17, 2015, and that 
the prisoners will be transferred via the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport 
to Angola.

"The government of Zambia has made a commitment to commute life sentences for 
Angolan nationals who are serving life sentences here to a term of imprisonment 
since Angola has no life sentence," Mr Chato said.

During a meeting held at the Parole Board secretariat in Lusaka involving 
Zambian and Angolan officials, it was agreed that the transfer of the convicts 
be effected on September 17, 2015.

The transfer point will be Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

The meeting also resolved that all warrants be executed as the government of 
Zambia has made a commitment to commuting death sentences for Angolan nationals 
to a term of imprisonment since Angola has no life sentence.

(soure: The (Zambia) Daily Mail)






AFGHANISTAN:

Farkhunda murder: Afghan court quashes death sentences----3 of the men 
convicted for their part in beating woman to death in Kabul are instead given 
20-year prison sentences, with a 4th jailed for 10 years


An Afghan court has quashed the death sentences given to four men for their 
part in the murder of a woman lynched by a mob in the centre of Kabul.

The death of Farkhunda Malikzada, who was beaten and burned before being thrown 
in a river, shocked Afghans and prompted demonstrations urging the authorities 
to protect women from violence. She was attacked in March after being falsely 
accused of burning a copy of the Qur'an.

The appeals court judge, Abdul Nasir Murid, told the Associated Press on 
Thursday that 3 of the men convicted of the murder were instead given 20-year 
sentences, with a fourth jailed for 10 years.

The ruling was made in a closed-door hearing on Wednesday. It was first 
reported by the independent Tolo TV, which said the pedlar at the shrine who 
allegedly incited the mob was acquitted.

There was an angry reaction from Farkhunda's family and civil society groups.

"It's not a court, it's just a show," her brother told BBC Persian. "The media 
should have been there, we should been there, the lawyers should have been 
there.

"It's a real theatre. The whole world laughs at the judicial system of 
Afghanistan. Do the judges have families, sisters, mothers - or not? Do they 
have a heart? We will not accept this decision."

Around 3,000 people marched through the streets of Kabul after Farkhunda's 
murder, according to protest organisers, who called it one of the biggest 
demonstrations in Kabul's history. After Wednesday's decision there were calls 
for fresh protests.

Ramin Anwari, a Kabul-based activist, said: "Not all but a group of civil 
society activists have been against the death penalty from day one, so that 
could be a welcome decision [to commute them] but the concerning issue is that 
the court has been behind closed doors and the discrepancy there is. 20 years 
is not the equivalent to a death sentence. The equivalent is a life sentence."

He said the pedlar at the shrine, who was reportedly acquitted, was "the person 
behind all those crimes taking place in the first place. It's beyond shocking."

Anwari said he would be meeting with other activists over the next couple of 
days to discuss how to register their protest, which could include street 
rallies. "We have to keep fighting," he said.

(source: The Guardian)

INDIA:

Gangrape convicts lose right to lead evidence in robbery case


A Delhi court has closed the right of the 4 death row convicts of the 
sensational December 16 gangrape case to lead further evidence in their defence 
in a robbery case in which they are facing trial, after they failed to bring 
any witness in 6 hearings.

"For the past six consecutive dates no witness has been brought by the accused 
persons in their defence. In these facts and circumstances, I close their right 
to lead further defence evidence. List the matter for final arguments on July 
14," Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh said.

The trial court had awarded death penalty to four convicts - Akshay Thakur, 
Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Mukesh - in the gangrape and murder case which 
was later confirmed by the Delhi High Court. There appeals are pending before 
the Supreme Court.

In the robbery case, Delhi police has alleged that before gangraping the 
23-year-old girl in the moving bus here on the night of December 16, 2012, the 
accused had lured a carpenter, Ram Adhar, into the vehicle and robbed him.

The gangrape victim had died in a Singapore hospital on December 29, 2012.

In its order, the court noted that accused Akshay Thakur had closed his defence 
evidence in the robbery case way back in May last year but after that, the 
remaining co-accused had failed to bring any witnesses in their defence during 
the last 6 hearings.

The 4 accused facing trial in the robbery case had earlier claimed that they 
had not robbed or assaulted the complainant.

Ram Adhar had identified in the court the 4 accused as those who had robbed and 
assaulted him on December 16, 2012 night.

During trial in the robbery case, the court had recorded statements of 37 
prosecution witnesses, including the carpenter.

(source: Press Trust of India)






PAKISTAN:

Support Builds for Ailing Pakistani Christian Mother Facing Death for Drinking 
from Muslim Water Cup


Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman facing death for drinking water out of 
the same vessel used by her Muslim co-workers and speaking out for Jesus, is in 
such poor health her supporters fear she won't make it to her date with the 
executioner.

This courageous mother-of-five was sentenced in 2010 to be hanged for apostasy. 
She has always denied the accusations, but Pakistani authorities have ignored 
an international outcry and calls for her release.

The grim verdict was handed down after her co-workers charged she had insulted 
Prophet Mohammed.

Her nightmare began rather innocently on June 19, 2009, when this uneducated 
Christian mother, was picking berries with a group of Muslim women in the area 
of her home village, and they asked her to go to a nearby well to bring them 
some water. She happily did this and, on the way back, she was so thirsty, so 
she took a drink of the water, and when they discovered this, they accused her 
of being an "infidel" and an intense discussion ensued between them.

Apparently, it quickly spiraled out of control, and the Muslim women became 
even more angered when, during a debate about their respective faiths, she 
responded by telling them that Jesus is alive, adding, "Our Christ sacrificed 
His life on the cross for our sins.... Our Christ is alive."

That so incensed them that they began viciously beating her and this eventually 
led to a blasphemy accusation. In November 2010, Bibi was convicted under the 
blasphemy penal code, and sentenced to death by hanging. An appeal has been 
filed with the Supreme Court, but there's no word on how soon the case will be 
heard.

FoxNews.com is reporting that Bibi, now 50, is suffering from numerous health 
problems, including intestinal bleeding, according to Global Dispatch, which 
cited Bibi's family in reporting the woman is "so weak she could hardly walk."

"She is an exemplar of a gross miscarriage of injustice rooted in Pakistan's 
extremely unfair blasphemy laws and of how this law can victimize someone who 
should not be inside the criminal justice system whatsoever," said Phelim Kine, 
deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division.

FoxNews.com added, "Supporters of Bibi are calling on the U.S. to use the 
approximately $900 million in annual foreign aid it provides Pakistan as 
leverage to obtain justice for Bibi and others suffering under the Muslim 
nation's Draconian blasphemy laws. The Center for Research and Security 
Studies, which identified 247 blasphemy cases prosecuted in Pakistan since 1987 
and found many were used to persecute religious minorities and settle personal 
scores."

Wilson Chowdhry of the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), based in 
the UK, said, "6 years have passed and the travesty of justice continues. For 
some time now, we have been told that there has been a moratorium on the death 
penalty because of pressure from Western donors, but even before this vanished 
at the end of last year, it has become clear that her treatment was in effect a 
slow death sentence by neglect and worse, all for allegedly committing a crime 
that should not exist-blasphemy."

"Asia Bibi is by no means the only Christian on death row for blasphemy," 
Chowdhry added. "There are a number of others, and there are also other 
Christians who are in there for crimes they did not commit, and are in effect 
there because they are Christians. One man who had been imprisoned for over 2 
decades from the age of 15 and who was well known to be innocent of the crime 
he was convicted of was executed 2 weeks ago."

Pakistan-born Chowdhry said he hoped the British and US Governments would do 
all they could to force Mrs. Bibi's release.

"I call on the UK government to remonstrate with the Pakistani government in 
the strongest possible terms over this deadly game of bait and switch, and to 
free Asia Bibi and let her and her family escape to safety," he said.

Nazir Bhatti, president of the Pakistan Christian Congress, told FoxNews.com it 
is difficult for the international media to pick up news on Bibi's plight 
because it generates so little coverage within the country.

"Pakistani media do not often write about her case and are too afraid because 
they are under pressure from the government to stay silent," Bhatti said.

FoxNews.com added that Pope Francis has called for clemency for Bibi, and last 
year, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul called for an end to U.S. aid to Pakistan, noting 
the persecution of young women and Christians in the nation, and citing Bibi in 
particular.

Last month, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom pressed the 
Obama administration to designate Pakistan a "country of particular concern."

Those who have spoken up for Bibi from within Pakistan have done so at their 
own peril and two of them paid for their comments about her with their own 
lives. They were Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Punjab, and Shahbaz Bhatti, 
the minister of minority affairs, who were both assassinated after defending 
Bibi and speaking out against the blasphemy laws.

"The assassinations show how dangerous it is for politicians to challenge the 
blasphemy law. Militants will go to extreme measures for anyone who speaks for 
religious freedom or human rights," said Kine.

"We see what happens when someone tries to challenge the blasphemy laws," said 
Chowdhry. "It got 2 key politicians killed...In a country with such animosity 
against Christians, I don't believe a Supreme Court judge will be brave enough 
to exonerate her."

According to a recent Mission News Network article, there have been some recent 
internal attempts to overhaul the blasphemy laws due to international pressure. 
A March 2014 poll from the Pakistani English-language newspaper, The Nation, 
showed 68 percent of Pakistanis believe the blasphemy law should be repealed.

"It is not something that can happen overnight," said Hillel Neuer, executive 
director of the Geneva-based UN Watch. "The government needs to educate their 
people on what are universal human rights, what is respecting religious 
minorities and so on. Right now, I don't see that happening."

Chowdhry, however, believes that reform of blasphemy laws are unlikely in a 
country he says has been "hijacked" by extremists.

The British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA) has now launched a petition 
for Asia Bibi to be released, and you can sign it by going to: 
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/justice4asia.

(source: About the writer: Dan Wooding, 74, is an award-winning journalist who 
was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, and is now living in 
Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for nearly 
52 years. They have 2 sons, Andrew and Peter, and 6 grandchildren who all live 
in the UK. The British Pakistani Christian Association has given Dan a special 
award for his reporting on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan---ASSIST 
News Service)






BANGLADESH:

State wants SC to uphold SQ Chy's death penalty


The top state counsel yesterday prayed before the Supreme Court to uphold the 
death penalty of BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury for committing crimes 
against humanity and genocide during the Liberation War.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam made the plea on the 10th day of hearing on the 
Salauddin's appeal against his verdict given by International Crimes Tribunal-1 
on October 1, 2013. The BNP leader was also given 20 years of jail in 3 charges 
while 5 years in 2 other charges.

The 4-member bench of Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar 
Sinha fixed Sunday for further hearing of the appeal. The defence counsel of 
Salauddin is expected to place their arguments on the day.

Mahbubey Alam yesterday told the apex court that Salauddin along with the 
Pakistan army men had launched massacres in different areas of Raozan under 
Chittagong in 1971.

"Several eyewitnesses have testified about the atrocities he had committed [in 
1971] and therefore, he (Salauddin) deserves the death penalty," said Mahbubey 
Alam, as he completed his submission yesterday.

He, however, said if necessary, he may place further submission after defence 
arguments.

The 4 charges for which Salaudding was given the capital punishment are: 
involvement in 2 acts of genocide; killing of Nutan Chandra Singha; and murder 
of Awami League leader Mozaffar Ahmed and his son in Raozan.

(source: The Daily Star)


EGYPT:

Egyptian cabinet approves stricter anti-terrorism law, avoids emergency 
measures


While the Egyptian army faced a massive attack by Islamist militants in 
Northern Sinai Wednesday, the government decided to toughen laws aimed at 
fighting terrorism. According to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and 
Transitional Justice Ibrahim Al-Heneidy, Egypt's cabinet approved in a plenary 
meeting Wednesday a number of legislative amendments aimed at countering a new 
wave of terrorism.

Heneidy told parliamentary reporters that first and foremost a tougher 
anti-terrorism law would be introduced. "The final draft will be referred to 
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to be officially ratified and implemented," said 
Heneidy. In the absence of a parliament, the 2014 Constitution gives to El-Sisi 
legislative powers.

The move comes after Egypt's prosecutor-general, Hisham Barakat, died following 
a bomb attack on his motorcade Monday. A number of terrorist attacks also hit 
the country Tuesday and Wednesday. Hundreds of militants affiliated with the 
Islamist jihadist group Ansar Beit Al-Magdis attacked several army checkpoints 
in Sinai Wednesday, leaving a record number dead.

Leaving Bakarat's military funeral Tuesday, El-Sisi vowed to amend laws within 
days to ensure "rapid justice" against militants.

Heneidy said the new 55-article anti-terrorism law was discussed intensely in a 
three-hour cabinet meeting Wednesday. "I think we are in a war against 
terrorism and this law comes as a new harsher measure aimed at stemming the 
tide of terrorist organisations," Heneidy said, adding that, "The new package 
of anti-terrorism measures are quite enough that there is no need at the moment 
for any extraordinary or emergency measures to stand up to terrorism."

Heneidy said while the new anti-terrorism law will be sent to President 
El-Sisi, it will also be referred to the State Council and the Higher Council 
for Judges for revision in legal and constitutional terms.

Heneidy said the new law gives police officers and prosecutors added powers for 
clamping down on terrorists. "The penalties imposed on terrorists and terrorist 
activities will be also hardened, with most of them fluctuating between either 
a death sentence or a life term," said Heneidy.

Heneidy indicated that the new stricter penalties will also cover different 
forms of funding for terrorist activities. "Those convicted of funding 
terrorist activities or terrorist-labeled organisations, or directing terrorist 
operations, will face the death penalty or life in prison," Heneidy said in a 
thinly veiled reference to jailed Muslim Brotherhood leaders.

Heneidy also indicated the Criminal Procedures Law was amended to cut trials of 
militants and terrorists short. Heneidy said a convoluted appeals process means 
it can take years for a final verdict to be handed down.

"Under the current law, defendants are allowed to appeal verdicts twice, but 
under the amended draft, this process will be shortened to give defendants the 
right to appeal the verdict just one time," said Heneidy, indicating that "If 
an appeal by a defendant was accepted, he or she would face a retrial but 
before the Court of Cassation" - Egypt's highest judicial authority whose 
rulings are final and binding to all.

Heneidy also explained that the amendments establsh that appeals in terrorism 
cases will take priority. "I mean that the Court of Cassation will make sure 
that appeals submitted by defendants facing trial under the new terrorism law 
be reviewed and settled in a short time, not exceeding three months," said 
Heneidy.

(source: Ahram Online)






THAILAND:

Thailand beach murders: Men accused of killing Brit backpackers plead with 
victims' families for justice


Bar workers suspected of murdering 2 British backpackers are pleading with the 
victims' family to make sure justice is done.

Burmese Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, both 22, go on trial next week accused of killing 
Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, found dead on a beach on the idyllic island 
of Koh Tao, Thailand.

The men, facing the death penalty if convicted, insist they did not kill David, 
24, of Jersey, and Hannah, 23, of Hemsby, Norfolk, who had also been raped.

But the 22-year-old Burmese bar workers insist they are completely innocent of 
the crime on Koh Tao.

They said they only confessed after being tortured by Thai Police.

And the pair pleaded with the parents of 23-year-old Hannah and David, 24, to 
demand that Thai Police be "completely honest" in how they conducted their 
investigation.

Some of the pair's relatives are set to attend the opening of the trial next 
week.

Andy Hall, of Migrant Worker Rights Network, said: "The defendants are asking 
for full co-operation from the families of Hannah and David so that justice is 
done and seen to be done.

"It is crucial the right people are convicted of these terrible murders.

"No-one wants the wrong people to be convicted.

"And these 2 men categorically deny being involved in the murders. They claim 
there were tortured to make them confess."

He added: "We are making a final call for any UK based witnesses who may have 
information - however insignificant they think it may be - to come forward 
immediately."

The MWRN has launched a fund-raising appeal to help fund the legal fees for the 
pair who were illegal immigrants working on the island.

Hannah, from Hemsby, Norfolk and David from Jersey were both travelling in the 
Far East when they were killed last September.

Hannah was raped and the couple's bodies were left lying on a beach on the 
idyllic island of Koh Tao.

The trial is expected to take place over the coming months and a final verdict 
will not be reached until October.

(source: Daily Mirror)