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)
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