[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Aug. 16



TURKEY:

Turkey PM steps back from calls for death penalty


Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday (Aug 16) a fair trial 
would represent a harsher punishment for suspected coup plotters than the death 
penalty - an apparent step back from threats to re-introduce capital 
punishment.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had suggested Turkey could bring back capital 
punishment - abolished in 2004 as part of the country's reforms to join the 
European Union - in the wake of the Jul 15 failed coup aimed at ousting him 
from power.

The threat stunned the EU, which makes the abolition of capital punishment an 
unnegotiable condition for joining the bloc.

"A person dies only once when executed," Yildirim told ruling Justice and 
Development Party (AKP) MPs in parliament. "There are tougher ways to die than 
the death (penalty) for them. That is an impartial and fair trial," Yildirim 
said.

The prime minister's comments marked a change in tone after Erdogan said 
earlier this month that if the Turkish public wanted a return to capital 
punishment, then political parties would follow their will.

Erdogan has also not mentioned the issue in his latest speeches in recent days.

Relations between Brussels and Ankara have already been strained since Turkey 
responded to the coup by launching a relentless crackdown against alleged 
plotters in state institutions, amid calls from the EU to act within the rule 
of law.

Tens of thousands of staff within the military, judiciary, civil service and 
education have been dismissed or detained since a rogue faction within the 
military tried to oust Erdogan from power.

Ankara blames Erdogan's ally-turned-foe Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic preacher in 
self-exile in the United States, and his movement for ordering last month's 
coup bid. Gulen strongly denies the accusations.

Yildirim said Gulen would be brought to account for the attempted putsch during 
which 240 people lost their lives, excluding 34 coup plotters who were killed.

"Those responsible for the blood of our martyrs will be brought to account. We 
will not bring them to account acting out of revenge. We will bring them to 
account with justice," the prime minister said.

No judicial executions have taken place Turkey since left-wing militant Hidir 
Aslan was hanged on Oct 25, 1984 in the wake of the 1980 military coup.

(source: channelnewsasia.com)






UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:

Dubai court hands down death sentence to Sharjah child killer


The man who raped and killed an 8-year-old Obaida Al Aqrabawi in Sharjah has 
been sentenced to death, it was reported on Monday.

Dubai Criminal Court announced the sentence for 48-year-old Nidal Eisah 
Abdullah Abu Ali, The National reported.

It added that the Jordanian boy's father began sobbing while some men in the 
courtroom consoled him.

Obaida was kidnapped on May 20 while playing outside his father's garage in 
Sharjah's industrial area.

His body was found 2 days later in Academic City Road in Al Warqa.

In June, Dubai's Attorney-General, Essam Eisa Al Humaidan, called for the death 
penalty for Abu Ali.

(source: arabianbusiness.com)


SOUTH KOREA:

Top court justice nominee espouses security law, abolition of death penalty


Supreme Court justice nominee Kim Jae-hyung on Tuesday espoused the National 
Security Law, alternative services for faith-based draft objectors and the 
abolition of capital punishment.

In his written answers to questions raised by Saenuri Party Rep. Kim Jin-tae, 
the top court nominee said that the National Security Law has a role to play, 
particularly at the time of a continuing military standoff between the 2 
Koreas.

Kim, currently a professor at Seoul National University's School of Law, noted 
that through a set of past revisions to the law, concerns about the pitfalls in 
its interpretation and enforcement have been "considerably" reduced.

Critics argue the law could be arbitrarily interpreted to undermine people's 
basic rights. Under the law, South Koreans are barred from supporting or 
praising the North. They are also banned from joining a pro-Pyongyang 
organization or having unauthorized contact with the communist state.

On the issue of the so-called "conscientious objectors" who refuse to join the 
military based on their religious beliefs, the nominee said that the nation 
should explore ways to comprehensively protect the objectors' freedom.

"(The nation) should ponder harmonious solutions between the freedom of 
conscience and a military duty," he said.

"Based on national consensus, (the government) should actively consider opening 
ways (for the conscientious objectors) to carry out alternative services 
(rather than a military one) with a rigorous screening process and conditions."

Throwing his weight behind the abolition of the death penalty, Kim pointed to 
the possibility of misjudgment in court proceedings.

But he stressed that measures to prevent any side effects from the abolition 
should be crafted.

Although South Korea keeps the death penalty, it has not carried out any 
executions since 1997 -- the reason why Amnesty International, a global human 
rights watchdog, has classified the country as "abolitionist in practice."

The National Assembly is set to hold a confirmation hearing for Kim on 
Thursday. A Supreme Court justice nominee requires parliamentary approval.

(source: The Korea Herald)






BANGLADESH:

Man gets death penalty for murder in Chandpur


A Chandpur court has sentenced a 28-year-old man to death in a murder case 
filed in 2012.

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Mamunur Rashid passed the 
order on Tuesday and also fined the convict Md Arif Mij by Tk 100,000.

According to the case details, Arif entered the house of Md Billal Hossain Miji 
and stabbed his son with a sharp weapon on the night of Aug 23, 2012.

The family discovered the body lying on floor the next morning.

Prosecutor Sayedul Islam Babu said Billal had filed a murder case with the 
local police the same day. Police pressed charges on Arif on Sep 30, 2012.

(source: bdnews24.com)






IRAN:

7 Death Row Juvenile Offenders in Iran Identified


Iran Human Rights has identified 7 death row prisoners in the western regions 
of Iran who were under the age of 18 when they were charged with murder.

Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and 
the Convention on the Rights of the Child and must stop the execution of 
children. Despite Iran's obligation to end the death penalty for prisoners who 
were convicted for offences committed before the age of 18, Iranian authorities 
continue to sentence juvenile offenders to death and execute them. According to 
reports by Iran Human Rights, at least 2 juveniles offenders have been executed 
so far in 2016 in Iran.

Rauf Hasani

--Born on January 27, 1997.

--Arrested on August 8, 2013 at the age of 16 in the city of Saqqez (Kurdistan 
province, northwestern Iran) on murder charges.

--Sentenced to death in spring 2015 by the civil court in Saqqez.

--Completed school up to the 5th grade.

--Detained in the juvenile offenders ward of Saqqez Central Prison.

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

--Born on July 13, 1997.

--Arrested in winter 2013 at the age of 15 on murder charges.

--Sentenced to death in autumn 2015 by the civil court in Saqqez.

--Completed school up to the 6th grade.

--Currently held in Saqqez Central Prison.

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

Saleh Teymouri

--Born on May 8, 1996.

--Arrested in summer 2011 in the city of Bukan (West Azerbaijan province, 
northwestern Iran) at the age of 15 for "murder by throwing stones leading to 
brain damage and death of the victim". --Sentenced to death on July 12, 2014 by 
the civil court in Bukan.

--Completed school up to the 6th grade.

--Detained in Bukan Prison.

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

--Born in September 1998. He is currently 17 years old.

--Arrested in November 2014 at the age of 15 on murder charges.

--Sentenced to death on July 20, 2016 by the civil court in Saqqez. The 
sentence was issued to him in prison on July 27th. His case file is currently 
in the possession of Iran's Supreme Court for confirmation.

--Detained in Saqqez Central Prison.

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

Yadollah Rahimzadeh

--Born on November 10, 1997. --Arrested in May 2014 in Saqqez at the age of 16 
for murder charges. Before his arrest he was a child laborer.

--Completed school up to the 6th grade.

--Sentenced to death on July 16, 2016 by the civil court in the city of 
Sanandaj (Kurdistan province).

--Detained in the juvenile offenders ward of Sanandaj Central Prison.

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

Assad Rasoulnejad

--Born on October 7, 1996 in Mahabad County.

--Arrested on April 5, 2012 in the city of Bukan at the age of 15.

--Sentenced to death in 2015 by the civil court in Bukan.

--Completed school up to the 7th grade.

--Detained in Bukan Prison.

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

Khaled Rasouli

--Born on September 20, 1995 in Mahabad County (West Azerbaijan province).

--Arrested in September 2011 in Miandoab County (West Azerbaijan province) at 
the age of 15 on murder charges.

--Sentenced to death in January 2015 by the civil court in Miandoab.

--Completed school up to the 7th grade.

--Detained in Miandoab Prison.

(source: Iran Human Rights)

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

Iranian rights advocate: Mass execution of Sunnis is "crime against humanity"


Dr. Mohammad Maleki, the 1st chancellor of Tehran University following the 1979 
Iranian revolution, strongly condemned the mass execution of Sunni political 
prisoners earlier this month, and the 1988 massacre of political prisoners, 
describing these measures as crimes against humanity that can be prosecuted in 
court, in an interview with Al Arabiya.

In the August 6 interview, the prominent human rights advocate said: "All the 
massacres that have taken place from day one to this day are all legally void, 
illegal and can be prosecuted in a court of law as a crime against humanity."

Maleki criticized the international community's silence in the face of 
deteriorating human rights conditions in Iran and believes as long as the 
regime is in power the crackdowns and intense security measures will remain 
intact. He expressed his hope that the Iranian people will, as soon as 
possible, bring to power a democratic and freedom-loving state that respects 
people's rights.

Some 30,000 political prisoners, primarily affiliated to the main opposition 
group People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK), were massacred in 
Iran in the summer of 1988.

The following are parts of a telephone interview by the Al Arabia Farsi branch 
with Dr. Maleki:

Al-Arabia: What are your thoughts regarding the regime's objective in mass 
executing Sunni prisoners on the 28th anniversary of the 1988 massacre of 
political prisoners?

Dr. Maleki: Principally, from day one the so-called Islamic republic of Iran 
has adopted a violent approach vis-a-vis the people. From the very beginning 
this regime executed people in the name of drug addicts and political figures, 
launched the 1988 killings, and killed its dissidents abroad. I was personally 
prosecuted and placed behind bars for 5 years from 1981 to 1986. I have seen 
how these people were executed, and how the regime launched 2-minute court 
trials. Around 30,000 people were executed [in 1988], they were all prosecuted 
and in the initial courts they were sentenced to prison terms, not to be 
executed. They were all prisoners and were serving their time, and some had 
even served their entire sentences. Therefore, all the massacres from day one 
to this day, and to this moment, are all legally void, illegal, can be subject 
to prosecution and are considered a crime against humanity.

Human rights advocates & organizations, and also various executed Kurdish 
activists all say these prisoners were the victims of "forged cases" by 
security organs, with the objective of portraying Iran???s Sunni movement as 
extremists. What is your opinion in this regard?

I have been a prisoner myself. Principally, all the jailing and accusations are 
illegal and nothing but allegations lacking any real basis ... Our friends who 
were their cellmates, and whom I have talked with, say they had no relation 
with ISIS, terrorism or any such issue. They were all religiously devoted and 
often held mass prayers. Anyhow, these crimes that this regime will carry out 
until its very last day in power, are aimed at cementing a climate of fear in 
the society.

Considering the agreement reached between the West and Iran, how do you 
evaluate the international community's position regarding the deteriorating 
human rights situation in Iran? In your opinion, is the human rights situation 
- as many say - becoming victim to this agreement?

Why are they silent? Don't they think with each day in power this government is 
a detriment for the Iranian people?

Dr. Maleki, how do you assess the situation of domestic protests and also 
Iran's relations with the region in the shadows of its warmongering meddling?

All the workers, farmers, teachers, college students, bazaar merchants and 
various groups have come to understand that they are subject to cruelty. The 
taxes extracted from them and the money we were demanding are all spent in 
countries such as Iraq, Yemen and Yemen. I hope the Iranian people are 
successful, as soon as possible, in having a truly democratic and freedom 
loving state that respects human rights come to power.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein condemned the 
recent executions in Iran. In your opinion, is it enough for the U.N. to merely 
condemn human rights violations to stop the crackdown and intense security 
atmosphere in Iran? What is your message to the international community in this 
regard?

These condemnations are necessary, but not enough. I believe the U.N. and other 
international human rights organizations should seriously stand against these 
crimes.

Background

On Tuesday, August 2nd the fundamentalist mullahs' regime in Iran sent 25 Sunni 
prisoners to the gallows in the notorious Gohardasht Prison, located in Karaj, 
northwest of Tehran.


(source: NCR-Iran)






PAKISTAN:

COAS confirms death sentence to 11 hardcore terrorists


Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday confirmed death 
sentences awarded to another 11 hardcore terrorists.

According to ISPR, those who have been awarded death penalty, were found guilty 
of committing heinous offences related to terrorism, including killing of DIG 
Fayyaz Sumbal and ASI Raza Khan of Balochistan Police and Inspector Kamran 
Nazir of ISI at Quetta.

The convicts also included those who were involved in sectarian killings, 
kidnapping and slaughtering of civilians and personnel of Frontier Constabulary 
and killing of Major Abdid Majeed of Pakistan Army.

They planned and executed a number of attacks on Law Enforcement Agencies and 
Armed forces of Pakistan.

They were also involved in destruction of Schools and communication 
infrastructure.

These convicts were tried by military courts and their details are:

1. Zia Ul Haq S/O Wali Khan.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in suicidal attacks which caused death and injuries to a large number of 
civilians.

The convict was also involved in attacking Law Enforcement Agencies which 
resulted in death of Deputy Inspector General of Police Fayyaz Sumbal, 
Assistant Sub Inspector Raza Khan, several other police officials and Inspector 
Kamran Nazir of Inter Services Intelligence.

He was also found involved in sectarian killings. He admitted his offences 
before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 12 charges and was 
awarded death sentence.

2. Fazal e Rabbi S/O Fazal Ghafoor.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in slaughtering and killing of civilians. He was also involved in attacking 
Armed Forces of Pakistan which resulted in death of Maj Abid Majeed and 
injuries to several soldiers.

The convict admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He 
was tried on 4 charges and awarded death sentence.

3. Muhammad Sher S/O Zaray.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in killing of civilians. He was also involved in attacking Armed Forces of 
Pakistan which resulted in death and injuries to soldiers.

The convict also destroyed a Girls Middle School. He admitted his offences 
before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 5 charges and 
awarded death sentence.

4. Umer Zada S/O Gul Rehman.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan which resulted in death and injuries to 
soldiers. He was also in possession of explosives. The convict admitted his 
offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 3 charges 
and awarded death sentence.

5. Latif Ur Rehman S/O Saif Ur Rehman.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in kidnapping and killing personnel of Law Enforcement Agencies. He was also 
guilty for attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan which resulted in death of 
soldiers. The convict was also in possession of fire arms and explosives. He 
admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried 
on 5 charges and awarded death sentence.

6. Muhammad Adil S/O Muhammad Akbar Jan.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in kidnapping and slaughtering of soldiers of Frontier Constabulary. The 
convict was also involved in destruction of Police Station Matta.

He was also in possession of fire arms and explosives. The convict admitted his 
offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 5 charges 
and awarded death sentence.

7. Israr Ahmed S/O Abdul Rahim Jan.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan which resulted in death and injuries to 
soldiers.

He was also involved in destruction of Girls Primary School and a hotel of 
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation. The convict admitted his offences 
before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 4 charges and 
awarded death sentence.

8. Abdul Majeed S/O Khona Moula.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan which resulted in death and injuries to 
soldiers. He also destroyed a hotel of Pakistan Tourism Development 
Corporation. The convict admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the 
trial court. He was tried on 3 charges and awarded death sentence.

9. Hazrat Ali S/O Fazal Rabi.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in planting Improvised Explosive Devices and killing of civilians. He was also 
involved in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan. The convict admitted his 
offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 5 charges 
and awarded death sentence.

10. Mian Said Azam S/O Mian Said Jaffar. The convict was an active member of 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved in attacking Armed Forces of 
Pakistan and Law Enforcement Agencies which resulted in death and injuries to 
soldiers.

He was also involved in destruction of Girls Schools. The convict admitted his 
offences before the Magistrate and the trial court.

He was tried on 5 charges and awarded death sentence.

11. Qaiser Khan S/O Habib Khan.

The convict was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He was involved 
in killing of civilians and destruction of communication infrastructure. The 
convict admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was 
tried on 2 charges and awarded death sentence.

(source: Business Recorder)