[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Oct. 5



ZIMBABWE:

Artistes call for death penalty abolishment


Playwright Getrude Vimbayi Munhamo yesterday urged government to urgently 
consider the abolishment of the death penalty as it was an archaic mode of 
punishment in modern civilisations.

Munhamo told NewsDay ahead of a concert to commemorate the World Day Against 
the Death Penalty through art set for October 10 at Theatre in the Park.

The concert will feature an array of local artists across genres with Munhamo's 
play, The Dead Are Alive, also to be staged during the concert.

Munhamo said she was inspired to write the play to add her voice against the 
death sentence.

"While some developed countries have banned this kind of penalty, it is still 
in use in many other countries around the world, which we are saying must come 
to an end," she said.

Munhamo said the The Dead Are Alive juxtaposes and explores cultural and 
traditional justice systems against the backdrop of modern methods. The story 
revolves around the character of Taizivei Murambadoro who is sentenced to death 
for robbery and murder although he was not present when his colleagues 
committed the crimes.

Munhamo said she was happy that artists have joined hands to advocate for the 
abolishment of the death sentence.

She expressed gratitude to Daves Guzha for allowing the play to be staged at 
Theatre in the Park.

Tehn Diamond, Chirikure Chirikure, Everson Ndhlovu, Stewart Sakarombe and DJ 
Naida are expected to perform.

Choreographer Lionel Tendai Guzha described the death penalty as an unfair law.

(source: newsday.co.zw)






BELARUS:

Statement by the Spokesperson on the decision of the Belarus Supreme Court to 
uphold the death sentence against Siarhei Vostrykau


Today, 4 October, the Belarusian Supreme Court upheld the death sentence 
against Siarhei Vostrykau. This is the fourth confirmation by the Belarusian 
Supreme Court of a death sentence in 2016. It follows the execution of Syarhey 
Iwanow in April as well as 2 other death sentences this year.The European Union 
reaffirms its strong opposition to capital punishment. The death penalty is an 
inhumane and degrading treatment, does not have any proven deterrent effect, 
and makes judicial errors irreversible. The continued application of capital 
punishment runs counter to Belarus' stated willingness to consider the 
introduction of a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. This is also a 
commitment made by Belarus in response to recommendations made by the UN Human 
Rights Council in the Universal Periodic Review.

Belarus, the only country in Europe still applying capital punishment, should 
introduce a moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards its 
abolition.

(source: europa.eu)






IRAN:

Prudent Use of Death Penalty Necessary, according to Justice Minister


On October 3, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) reported on 
comments made by the Iranian regime's Justice Minister, Mostafa Pour-Mohammad, 
regarding abolishing death penalty for drug traffickers in Iran. He said, "One 
of the punishments for a corrupt person is execution." The Justice Minister was 
allegedly a member of the Death Committee responsible for the 1988 massacre of 
tens of thousands of political prisoners in Iran.

Pour-Mohammadi expressed in an interview with the state news agency IRNA on 
September 30, that he doesn't believe that the death penalty can be ruled out, 
saying, "There are cases in which someone is a source of corruption and his 
existence will bring about nothing but corruption."

Reacting to the rising numbers of executions in Iran, Pour-Mohammadi pointed 
out, "the type of punishment in any situation should be proportionate to its 
effect. Scholars, jurists, experts, psychologists and criminologists should 
join hands to determine what kind of punishment will be the most effective."

Sadeq Larijani, the Chief Justice of the Iranian regime, has stated that it is 
not the Judiciary's policy to eliminate executions for drug smugglers, "When 
did we have such an inclination? ... This claim that executions were not useful 
is irrelevant. I urge all prosecutors across the country not to delay the 
implementation of the verdicts, and carry them out once they are issued. We are 
not allowed to delay carrying out the verdicts for 3 years and let the 
criminals begin praying in prison and then argue that since they pray we should 
cancel their executions. We cannot do away with executions in general because 
it undermines the judiciary's deterrence.

Executions are a means for establishing security in society, claimed the Chief 
Justice. He stressed, "One of the reasons for the effectiveness of these 
punishments is their prompt, expeditious and decisive implementation. It is 
against the interests of society and the Judiciary to prolong the prosecution 
process." He criticized "giving opportunity during the prosecution" to those 
accused of drug smuggling and said, "The prosecutor offices must establish 
security on all levels and take this task seriously."

(source: iranfocus.com)






UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:

Gay Abu Dhabi Man Faces Death Penalty For Doing Drag On Instagram ---- The man 
was officially charged with "practicing" and "promoting homosexuality."


A gay Lebanese man who posted images of himself in drag on Instagram is being 
prosecuted in Abu Dhabi on charges of "practicing" and "promoting 
homosexuality," which carry possible death sentences in the country ruled by 
Sharia Law.

Prosecutors claimed in Abu Dhabi Criminal Court last week that the pictures 
showed the 21-year-old man "wearing short women's clothes, wigs and make-up."

The man had also allegedly posted his phone number on the social networking 
site and was offering sexual services to other men.

The United Arab Emirates website 7days reports the man was arrested in a sting 
operation after soliciting an undercover cop who made an appointment while 
posing as a customer.

In court, the man reportedly claimed his friend had taken his friend and posted 
the pictures on Instagram without his knowledge.

LGBT people around the world face discrimination, isolation, and violence 
simply for being gay, and can be arrested for engaging in same-sex sexual 
relations in 75 countries. In 10 of those countries, including the United Arab 
Emirates, homosexuality is punishable by death.

(source: newnownext.com)