UN, 22 December 2014 – The top United Nations official on human rights issues voiced “deep regret” today over the resumption of executions in Pakistan and Jordan at a time when the international community is increasingly turning away from the use of the death penalty.
In a news release, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, condemned the recent lifting of the moratorium on capital punishment in both countries, stressing that “no judiciary, anywhere, can be infallible.”
“It is very unfortunate that Pakistan and Jordan have resumed executions, reversing the moratoria on the death penalty that they had commendably put in place in 2008 and 2006 respectively,” stated Mr. Zeid.
“This is particularly disappointing given that just last week, a record 117 States voted in the UN General Assembly in favour of an international moratorium on the use of the death penalty.”
In October, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its report – entitled Moving away from the Death Penalty, Arguments, Trends and Perspectives – upholding abolition as a necessity, particularly due to the need to avoid executing those subjected to wrongful convictions; the lack of statistical evidence pointing to the death penalty as a useful deterrent; and the higher rate of execution among those from marginalized communities, including people with mental or intellectual disabilities.
Mr. Zeid urged the Governments of Pakistan and Jordan to re-impose the moratoria on the death penalty, stressing that “no justice system, no matter how robust, can guarantee against wrongful convictions.”
[un.org]
22/12/14
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Related:
In a news release, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, condemned the recent lifting of the moratorium on capital punishment in both countries, stressing that “no judiciary, anywhere, can be infallible.”
“It is very unfortunate that Pakistan and Jordan have resumed executions, reversing the moratoria on the death penalty that they had commendably put in place in 2008 and 2006 respectively,” stated Mr. Zeid.
“This is particularly disappointing given that just last week, a record 117 States voted in the UN General Assembly in favour of an international moratorium on the use of the death penalty.”
In October, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its report – entitled Moving away from the Death Penalty, Arguments, Trends and Perspectives – upholding abolition as a necessity, particularly due to the need to avoid executing those subjected to wrongful convictions; the lack of statistical evidence pointing to the death penalty as a useful deterrent; and the higher rate of execution among those from marginalized communities, including people with mental or intellectual disabilities.
- “The crime rate, historically, is not lowered by the imposition of capital punishment,” the High Commissioner continued. “Instead, shocking cases emerge, with tragic frequency, of the execution of people who are subsequently proven innocent – including in well-functioning legal systems.”
Mr. Zeid urged the Governments of Pakistan and Jordan to re-impose the moratoria on the death penalty, stressing that “no justice system, no matter how robust, can guarantee against wrongful convictions.”
[un.org]
22/12/14
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Related:
Pakistan ends death penalty moratorium in terror cases
Pakistan: moratoire sur la peine de mort levé après le carnage de Peshawar ...
Le Pakistan prévoit d'exécuter 500 condamnés à mort...
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More than 50 people convicted of terrorist offences in Pakistan are facing imminent execution after President Mamnoon Hussain rejected their mercy petitions, officials say...
ReplyDeleteThe president's move means that some executions can take place across the country at any time.
Six people executed have been executed since a moratorium was lifted in the wake of a Taliban school massacre.
Hundreds more executions could follow in the next few months, reports say...............http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30577808
2/12/14
Beschluss der pakistanischen Regierung: Terroristen kommen vors Militärgericht ...
ReplyDeleteDie Vorwürfe, Pakistan gehe nicht energisch genug gegen Extremisten vor, gibt es schon lange. Doch nach der Talibanattacke auf eine Schule in Peschawar mit mehr als 140 Toten ist für die Regierung die rote Linie überschritten. Todesurteile werden wieder vollstreckt. Jetzt soll Terroristen vor Militärgerichten der Prozess gemacht werden.
Unter starken Sicherheitsvorkehrungen wurde gestern in vielen christlichen Gotteshäusern in Pakistan die Christmette gefeiert. Die Gläubigen konnten die Kirchen vielerorts nur durch eine Sicherheitsschleuse betreten. Nach dem Anschlag auf eine Schule in Peschawar in der vergangenen Woche war die Angst groß, dass die Taliban oder andere islamistische Extremisten das christliche Weihnachtsfest für weitere Anschläge nutzen könnten. Viele christliche Gemeinden verzichteten in diesem Jahr gar auf den Gottesdienst an Heiligabend.
In der Gedächtniskirche in Karatschi hatten sich jedoch rund 400 Gläubige zur Mitternachtsmesse versammelt, abgesichert von einem großen Polizeiaufgebot. Reverend Emanuel Victor verkündete eine Friedensbotschaft - nicht nur an die Christen, sondern auch an Andersgläubige: "Meine Weihnachtsbotschaft an unsere Landsleute und an die ganze Welt ist, dass wir unsere Differenzen beiseite legen und in Brüderlichkeit und Liebe zusammen leben sollten."
"Weil unser Justizsystem zu schwach ist"
Am Dienstag vergangener Woche hatten pakistanische Taliban in der nördlich gelegenen Stadt Peschawar eine Militärschule angegriffen und mehr als 140 Menschen getötet, darunter vor allem Schüler. Die pakistanische Regierung kündigte daraufhin harte Maßnahmen an......................http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/pakistan-243.html
25/12/14
Pakistani leaders agree on special courts for trial of terror suspects ...
ReplyDeletePolitical parties in Pakistan on Wednesday agreed on the establishment of special courts for the speedy trial of terror suspects.
The decision was taken at a conference of senior politicians gathered at the invitation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to chalk out an anti-terror strategy.
The meeting was called following the last week's terrorist attack on an army-run school that killed 150 children and their teachers in the northern city of Peshawar. Taliban had claimed responsibility.
An opposition senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said the special courts will be for specific timeframe targeting hardened terrorists. He said the conference ended with unanimity on all issues as all reservations removed about the special courts.
The conference lasted for nearly 11 hours as differences over the special court delayed the decision.
A central leader of opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, Qamar uz Zaman Kaira, said that the special trial courts will be established for two years................http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/898582.shtml
25/12/14