Sept. 13
TANZANIA:
I cannot 'execute' convicted murderers - Tanzania's president declares
Tanzanian President John Magufuli has stated clearly that he cannot assent to
an execution of the death penalty which is legal in the East African country.
He said on Monday during the swearing in of Chief Justice Ibrahim Hamis Juma in
Dar es Salaam, that he cannot make that "difficult decision" on the execution
of convicted murderers.
"I know there are people who convicted of murder and waiting for death penalty,
but please don't bring the list to me for decision because I know how difficult
it is to execute," he said.
Tanzania's Penal Code, Cap 16 stipulates the death penalty for serious offenses
like murder and treason.
According to the Tanzanian NGO Legal and Human Rights Center (LHRC), 472 people
were sentenced to death in 2015 and among them are 20 women.
The Executive Director of LHRC, Dr Hellen Kijo-Bisimba, commended the president
for his stance but demanded that he goes further to abolish the penalty.
"We need the abolition of this penalty due to the fact that it can???t be
implemented; in this case, it should be wise for the judges to change
punishment from death to life imprisonment or sentenced to 30 and above years
in jail," she was quoted by local media Azania Post.
Only about 20 countries countries have abolished the death penalty with Egypt,
Libya, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan still practicing executions.
Tanzania last executed a convict in 1994.
**********************
Rights Body Commends Magufuli's Stance On Death Sentence
The Legal and Human Rights Center (LHRC) has commended President John
Magufuli's stance on the execution of a death sentence.
During the Swearing in of the Chief Justice (CJ) Prof Ibrahim Juma at State
House on Monday September 11, President Magufuli said he is not going to sign
any death penalty certificate.
The LHRC Executive Director, Dr Hellen Kijo-Bisimba, said the Head of State's
statement was encouraging, however, he should influence changes of the law to
abolish the punishment or provide lighter ones.
"The 3rd and 4th phase president's position on death sentence was known in
spite of the fact that they didn't declare publicly. President Magufuli has
publicly declared his position, but he should go beyond that," she said adding:
"The Head of State should influence changes to relieve judges and magistrates
with difficulties they at the time of making rulings."
Meanwhile, LHRC has condemned assassination attempt against Singida East MP on
Chadema ticket Tundu Lissu.
Dr Bisimba said Mr Lissu's attack has raised concern on the country's security.
The rights group has recorded a total of 37 peace threatening incidents since
2015.
Therefore, she suggested that an independent commission of inquiry should be
formed by the Parliament and international organs to comprehensively
investigate the matter.
"Also, people implicated in previous attacks should be arrested and prosecuted.
The legal profession should be left to freely fulfill its duties and that
clerics should condemn attacks with all efforts," she said.
Mr Lissu who is also the President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) and
Opposition Chief Whip is now admitted at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi Kenya
where he was referred after surviving gunshots.
(source for both: africanews.com)
MALDIVES:
UN urges independent judiciary for Maldivians
The United Nations had called out for a transparent and indiscriminate judicial
system in Maldives.
Speaking during the 36th session of the Human Rights Council of UN, the High
Commissioner for Human Rights Zaid Ra'ad Al Hussain confirmed of receiving
several complaints and concerning reports of Maldivians being stripped from
their constitutional rights and civil liberties.
He expressed his grave concern regarding the matter.
He also stressed his concern regarding the dubious conduct of other judicial
bodies and authorities in Maldives - in which he emphasized the breach of
Maldives National Defense Force officials into parliament chambers and
disqualification of lawmakers under absurd conditions.
Hussain had once again reiterated his call to Maldives not to re-commence death
penalty as capital punishment.
(source: avas.mv)
LEBANON:
Death penalty calls for Hamoush killer
Beirut's 1st investigative judge, Ghassan Oweidat issued an indictment Tuesday
in the murder case of Roy Hamoush, requesting the death penalty for the
perpetrators. Mohammed Al-Ahmar and 2 others were arrested shortly after
killing the 24-year-old student. Hamoush was shot dead on the Dora highway,
north of Beirut, in early June. That night, Roy had just finished celebrating
his birthday and was headed home with a friend when a traffic dispute broke out
between them and 3 armed men in a BMW. Adnan Jamal Ghandour and Hani Mohammed
Al-Mawla have also been charged with attempted murder.
(source: The Daily Star)
IRAQ:
Iraqi court sentences Russian accused of IS ties to death penalty media----The
Russian was arrested by the Iraqi security forces during an operation to
liberate western Mosul from the IS group
Iraq's supreme judicial panel on Tuesday sentenced a Russian citizen to death,
who is accused of having ties with the Islamic State terrorist group, Al
Sumaria TV channel reported.
A spokesman for the Council, Abdul Sattar al-Birqadar, said the Russian citizen
was also accused of ties to the al-Zarqawi Battalion, one of groups part of the
Islamic State, outlawed in Russia. The militant admitted that he carried out
several terrorist attacks against Iraq's security forces in 2015, the spokesman
said.
The Russian was arrested by the republic's security forces during an operation
to liberate western Mosul from the IS group, he said. The capital punishment
was imposed in line with Iraq's anti-terrorism law.
(source: tass.com)
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