Oct. 25
MALAYSIA:
Amnesty welcomes abolition of death penalty
Amnesty International has welcomed the proposal to abolish the death penalty
for drug trafficking but called on the government to remove capital punishment
for all offences.
Law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz reportedly said last week the government may
replace the death penalty for drug offences with a prison term, which will
entail reprieves for hundreds now on death row.
"Amnesty International welcomes this proposal and hopes it will lead to the
quick abolition of the death penalty for drug offences," the global rights
group said in a statement today.
"The government should immediately extend a moratorium on executions with a
view to abolishing the death penalty for all crimes."
It noted that Malaysia applies the death sentence to a wide range of offences
from treason to assisting in suicide. The penalty is mandatory in murder and
drug trafficking cases.
"Mandatory death sentences prevent judges from exercising their discretion and
from considering all factors in a case - contrary to international human rights
standards," Amnesty said.
Amnesty's statement adds to growing pressure from Malaysian non-governmental
organisations and opposition politicians to repeal the death penalty.
According to Nazri, about 900 inmates are on death row, mostly for drug
offences.
Since 1960, more than 440 people have been executed, including 2 Australians
whose 1986 hanging for heroin trafficking made headlines as the 1st Westerners
executed under toughened new anti-drug laws.
In July, an Australian nurse was charged with drug trafficking.
(source: Agence France-Presse)
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