[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

April 8



BANGLADESH:

UN rights office expresses concern about death sentences in Bangladesh


The United Nations human rights office today expressed concern about the latest 
death sentences handed down against 2 leaders of an opposition party by the 
Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal, noting the court's practices have not 
met international standards of fair trial and due process.

Since its inception in 2010, the tribunal has delivered at least 17 verdicts, 
the majority of which have resulted in the imposition of the death penalty. So 
far, 4 men have been executed, according to the Office of the United Nations 
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

"The UN opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, no matter 
the gravity of the crime committed and even if the most stringent fair trial 
standards were respected," said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High 
Commissioner for Human Rights.

While recognising Bangladesh's determination to tackle past crimes, the trials 
conducted before the Tribunal have unfortunately not met international 
standards of fair trial and due process as stipulated in the International 
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), she said.

Serious due process problems, which have been repeatedly raised by various UN 
independent experts, include lack of adequate access to legal assistance and a 
lack of equality of arms between the prosecution and the defence, among other 
issues, she added.

OHCHR called on Bangladesh to respect its obligations under the ICCPR, to which 
it acceded in 2000. Article 14 of the ICCPR details the right to a fair trial. 
The imposition of a death sentence following a trial in which these provisions 
have not been respected constitutes a violation of the right to life.

The 2 leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami opposition party who were given death 
sentences are Mir Quasem Ali and Motiur Rahman Nizami.

The former was sentenced to death in November 2014 by the Tribunal, and the 
Supreme Court also upheld the verdict on 8 March.

Nizami was sentenced to death on charges of planning, ordering and committing 
murders and rapes, among other serious crimes during the 1971 war of 
independence. He filed a review petition against his death warrant, due to be 
heard on Sunday, 10 April, following a 1-week deferral. This is the last stage 
of the legal process in appealing against his execution, other than to seek a 
presidential pardon. "We hope it will be considered thoroughly by the court," 
the spokesperson said.

Bangladesh reportedly has more than 1,200 prisoners on death row. In the month 
of March this year alone, at least 13 people were reportedly sentenced to death 
in separate murder cases in 4 districts in Bangladesh.

"We renew our call to the Government of Bangladesh, as a 1st step forward, to 
halt all executions and institute a moratorium on the use of the death 
penalty," the spokesperson said.

(source: UN News Centre)