[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

July 5



IRAQ----executions

Iraq executes 5 after devastating Baghdad blast: ministry


Iraq executed 5 convicts on Monday, the justice ministry said, linking the 
timing of the executions to the Baghdad suicide bombing the previous day that 
killed more than 200 people.

The ministry said it wanted families bereaved in the bombing to know "that 
their brothers in the justice ministry are continuing to deliver just 
punishment to those whose hands are stained with the blood of Iraqis".

"Therefore, we would like to announce the implementation of death sentences 
against 5 convicts this morning," it said in a statement, without specifying 
their crimes.

The ministry also offered its condolences to families of victims of Sunday's 
carnage in Baghdad.

A suicide bombing claimed by the ISIS terrorist group ripped through a crowded 
shopping area, killing more than 200 people in one of the deadliest ever 
attacks by terrorists in Iraq.

Jordan responded in a similar way last year, executing 2 extremist prisoners 
after ISIS had burned alive one of its pilots whose plane was downed over 
Syria.

The move drew fire from rights group Amnesty International, which said 
executions should not be used "as a tool for revenge".

ISIS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but has since lost 
signficant ground to Iraqi forces.

Experts have warned that the terrorist group may step up bombings targeting 
civilians as it suffers setbacks on the battlefield.

(source: Decan Chronicle)

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

PM of Iraq orders immediate execution of convicted terrorists


The Prime Minister of Iraq Haider Jawad Kadhim Al-Abadi ordered on Monday to 
execute immediately all terrorists on death row in the country. The 
instructions were submitted to the Ministry of Justice after deadly attacks in 
Baghdad on Sunday, which killed 165 and wounded 225.

A lorry packed with explosives was detonated in a busy shopping district of the 
capital of Iraq where locals were shopping for the holiday marking the end of 
Ramadan. The 2nd bomb exploded at an outdoor market in the Shaab, neighbourhood 
of southeastern Baghdad. So-called Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility 
for the attacks, which believed to be the deadliest in Iraq since 2007. Prime 
Minister al-Abadi condemned the bombing and declared 3 days of mourning across 
the country after visiting the scene of the attack.

Despite territorial gains by Iraq's ground forces against ISIS and losing by 
the latter one of 45 % of the territory it once held in Iraq, the terrorist 
group is still able to launch attacks.

(source: neweurope.eu)






THAILAND:

PM Changes His Mind on Death Sentences for Rapists


Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has now decided he does not support calls 
for the death penalty for rapists.

Only last month he ordered the legal community and judiciary to ensure that 
convicted rapists are sentenced to death saying, 'foreign countries tackle rape 
cases by resorting to capital punishment.' He asked 'is it possible in 
Thailand? The judicial sector must undertake this.'

Since then, and in the wake of the murder of a young teacher in Saraburi, there 
has been public support for the idea. And calls for the Criminal Code to be 
amended to reflect this and condemn those guilty of rape to death. But now the 
Prime Minister says he does not support this idea anymore.

He has explained that many countries have repealed laws such as this as they 
have been shown not to act as an effective deterrent. 'Let's look at the world 
around us,' he said. 'Many countries have already abolished the death penalty. 
They do not 'promote respect for the law and in solving the problem at hand in 
a sustainable fashion.'

The leader of the Thai military has warned that the death penalty for rape 
cases may result in an abuse of power and would rather see convicted rapists 
exposed to social pressures in order to discourage them from committing similar 
crimes again.

He might have added that long jail sentences could also discourage such 
repeated offences.

The Deputy Prime Minister, and Defence Minister General, Prawit Wongsuwan, has 
only said that public opinion and legal counsel from experts will need to be 
taken into account when a final decision is taken by the National Legislative 
Assembly.

(source: Pattaya News)

***********

Calls for death for rapists after brutal Saraburi murder


Public calls for the death penalty against rapists are growing in the wake of 
the shocking murder of a young female teacher, who died at the hands of a 
former convict.

Chatri Ruamsoongnern, a 27-year-old cement factory worker, has confessed to 
slitting the throat of a 26-year-old teacher to steal her valuables in Saraburi 
province. He has denied attempting to rape her but evidence at the scene 
reportedly suggested otherwise.

Tests are ongoing to determine whether the teacher was sexually violated.

Chatri emerged as the prime suspect from the beginning of police inquiries 
because he and the victim were neighbours, and he had previously been convicted 
of raping the wife of a friend. He completed a jail term of 1 year and 7 months 
last August.

"We are waiting for the results from forensic tests to get solid evidence 
related to this case," Provincial Police Region 1 commissioner Pol Lt-General 
Chaiwat Getvorachai said yesterday.

At present, Chatri is charged only with premeditated murder.

The teacher had rented a room inside a fenced estate where 10 rooms are 
available and many tenants are colleagues teaching at the same school. Chatri 
moved in about 6 months ago as the live-in boyfriend of a transgender woman.

The grieving family of the victim yesterday demanded that harshest penalty be 
meted out against the culprit. "Don't give him any chance to harm others again. 
Please enforce the laws harshly," the mother said.

Her husband also felt the same way. "I don't intend to see laws kill a person. 
But if we let such a bad guy go free, he will kill again," the victim's father 
said.

Many social-media users joined their call, saying all rapists should be 
punished with death.

The sentiment echoed opinions expressed by many 2 years ago when a State Rail 
worker admitted to raping and killing a 13-year-old girl during an overnight 
ride with her family.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also heads the National Council 
for Peace and Order (NCPO), was cool on the emotional response to the crime, 
noting that there was a global trend for capital punishment to be scrapped. 
"Let's look at the world around us. Many countries have already abolished the 
death penalty," he said, in response to the call.

Justice Ministry deputy permanent secretary Tawatchai Thaikyo expressed similar 
sentiments via Facebook, cautioning against any move to push for the death 
penalty for all rapists.

"We have to think as to whether the push will encourage rapists to kill all 
victims," he said.

He also said some parents lodged complaints against boys who had been in love 
and had sex with their underage daughters. "Would it be better if we require 
all convicted rapists to undergo a rehabilitation programme and give them 
support to prevent them from committing such crimes again?" he said.

Kobkiat Kasivivat, another deputy permanent secretary for the Justice Ministry, 
said separately that due to a shortage of psychologists and social workers, 
such rehabilitation programmes are now only available in Bangkok. He said if 
Chatri is convicted of any criminal offence he will not be eligible for a royal 
pardon because he committed the crime within 5 years of his previous jail 
sentence.

At present, 3,406 men and 985 women are serving jail terms under final court 
rulings for sex offences.

Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection's head Wisit Wisitsora-at 
said facilities under his agency had individual counsellors in place. "Only 2 % 
of the high-risk group have become repeated offenders," he said.

(source: nationmultimedia.com)