Feb. 21
SINGAPORE:
Indian migrant labourer charged with the murder
An Indian immigrant labour was charged at the Magistrate's Court here today
with the murder of his Sri Lankan colleague 2 weeks ago.
No plea was recorded from the accused, Durga Rao Ketali, 30, when the charge
was read by the court interpreter before Magistrate Adibah Husna Zainal Abidin.
Durga is charged with the murder of Sumith Nishantha Silva Appu Kankanamalage
at Padang Buluh Estate, Jalan Sidam Kiri here, about 9pm on Feb 9.
He is charged under Section 302 of Penal Code which carries mandatory death
penalty if convicted.
Inspector Sharol Niza Serat prosecuted while the accused was not represented.
The court fixed April 2 for mention pending an autopsy report.
It was reported that the victim, in his 50s, died on the spot when the accused
smashed his head with a concrete slab following an argument at the workers'
hostel.
(source: Yahoo News)
*****************
Families of death row inmates need longer notice of execution
Singapore has prided itself on its reputation for being tough on crime. Under
our criminal justice system, the harshest and most final punishment meted out
to an individual is the death penalty.
Capital punishment has an impact not only on the convicts but also their
families, friends and community.
In Singapore, death sentences are carried out on Fridays, and families of death
row inmates are informed of the hanging on the Monday of that week.
Senior Minister of State (Home Affairs) Desmond Lee said recently that the
prisoner's family is allowed to visit "more frequently and for an extended
period of time".
While this is true, 4 days is insufficient, given the enormity of the ordeal.
The short notice can be seen as a punishment for the family, who have committed
no crime.
Within this period, the family must visit and comfort the inmate, make funeral
arrangements, buy clothing for the inmate's pre-execution photo session and
deal with the psychological turmoil of a loved one???s imminent death.
The challenges only grow for non-resident low-income families, who have an
added struggle to afford the trip to Singapore and the post-execution
arrangements.
In the case of Kho Jabing, who was executed last May, his family could visit
him before his execution only with support from Singaporeans and Malaysians who
contributed towards the costs of their travel and accommodation.
Without such help, they would have been unable to see their son and brother for
the final time.
Mr Lee also said in Parliament that physical contact between inmates and their
families is not allowed for safety reasons.
I understand that the prison authorities must be conscious of security, but I
would reiterate the finality of a death sentence and the emotional struggle it
puts loved ones through.
The only opportunity family members have now to touch the inmate is in court,
where they slip their hands through a slit in the glass separating the dock
from the court to hold hands with the prisoner.
The families I have worked with have told me how important these opportunities
for physical contact are in helping them through a traumatic situation, and I
urge the authorities to consider allowing some physical contact during visits.
(source: Kirsten Han Li Ying--The writer is a founding member of We Believe in
Second Chances, which campaigns for the abolition of the death penalty in
Singapore.
(source: todayonline.com)
TRINIDAD:
Can authorities bring crime under control?
With the current murder rate spiralling around 75 in 49 days Trinidad and
Tobago is set to register a new record of 560 homicides by the end of 2017. And
since trends suggest both nonchalance and incompetence with the relevant
authority in arresting a worsening situation, the foregoing projection appears
more likely than far-fetched. But why are murders becoming more and more
prevalent? Several reasons are proffered.
It is believed that the law-abiding Trinbagonian, the hardcore criminal, petty
thief and potential murderer are all aware that law enforcers are impotent
regarding the critical aspect of crime detection and related arrests. Far too
many heinous crimes/murders remain unresolved, foremost in the minds of
victims' families and friends. Consequently, criminal elements see the "green
light" to proceed with their nefarious activities, knowing that they stand a
better chance of being hit by lightning than being brought to justice. Swift
investment with the right technologies can improve crime detection rates.
Outside of CCTV cameras, where is the willingness by our leaders to procure
such a measure?
Recently, cries resurfaced for the enforcement and resumption of the death
penalty /hanging as punishment for murderers. Such is the norm when there are
significant spikes in the murder rate, since many see this as an effective
deterrent to criminals. As usual, past and present government and opposition
officials, Independent senators and members of the public discussed the issue
for a month or so and no hangings resulted or are expected to resume anytime
soon. The process is cyclic and futile. Where is the willingness for the
Government and Opposition to work together for the common good of the nation in
doing what must be done?
Another aspect that frustrates efforts to curtail murders involves trust
between police officers and the general public - the latter being a repository
per se, of information required to solve crimes. Recently, a police constable
was reported to have spent a night behind bars. Far from being an isolated
occurrence, significant numbers of police officers have been and continue to be
found guilty of committing various serious crimes /offences and being involved
in corrupt activities.
Trust between law enforcers and the layman is therefore strained. Small wonder
why many people refuse to come forward with critical information to the police
that can potentially solve a crime. While the police may view this as a form of
aiding criminal activity a timid citizen will justify his inaction as
self-preservation.
The acting Police Commissioner admitted that more is required than the efforts
already employed to fight crime thus far, citing divine intervention is now
warranted. He also stated there are many angry people among us. Moreover, the
Prime Minister also echoed similar sentiments in saying we had become a violent
society. Indeed, these statements are telling the populace what we already
know. It is obvious that a major contributor to the "angry people" analogy is
the constricting economy. Citizens simply cannot spend as freely as they once
did with many families unable to afford proper meals every day. As a result,
robberies are increasing and sometimes intensify to murder. While prayer should
always be in the equation for any national dilemma, selfless collaboration must
be employed by all Government and Opposition members. When that example is
perceived to be set, a positive ripple effect would ensue.
Do we believe that the relevant authorities are incapable of bringing crime
under control in T&T? Or do the powers that be lack the political will to do
what must be done?
(source: Letter to the Editor, Jason Valsint; Trinidad Express)
TURKEY:
Turkey tries soldiers for attempting to assassinate Erdogan----The trial of
over 40 officers and soldiers accused of attempting to assassinate Turkey's
president during the July 15, 2016 attempted putsch started on Monday. The case
could be a test for the restoration of the death penalty in Turkey.
The trial of more than 40 Turkish soldiers accused of attempting to assassinate
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during last year's failed coup started on
Monday.
The defendants were taken under tight security to a courthouse in the
southwestern city of Mugla, not far from the luxury resort where Erdogan and
his family narrowly escaped the soldiers, fleeing in a helicopter shortly
before their hotel was attacked.
Calls for restoration of death penalty
The suspects include Erdogan's former aide-de-camp. They were wearing suits
when they were brought from prison to the courthouse. A crowd of some 200
people waved flags and called for their execution.
Turkey abandoned the death penalty in 2002, as part of its bid to join the EU.
Since the attempted putsch, calls for its restoration have increased.
"We want the death penalty. Let the hand that tried to harm our chief be
broken," said one of the protesters, 61-year-old Zuhal Ayhan, referring to
Erdogan. "I'd give my life for him."
Almost all of the accused were soldiers. All those on trial face multiple
charges including attempting to assassinate the president, violating the
constitution and being members of an armed terrorist organisation.
Crackdown on FETO
More than 240 people were killed during the July 15 failed coup and over 2,000
wounded, when a group of rogue officers and soldiers commandeered tanks,
warplanes and helicopters, attacking parliament and attempting to overthrow the
government.
Turkey says the coup was orchestrated by US-based Fethullah Gulen and his
organisation, which Ankara calls the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO).
Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, and denies
any involvement in the attempted coup. Turkey is seeking Gulen's extradition to
stand trial.
The government accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to
overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions,
particularly the military, police and judiciary.
Since the failed coup, more than 40,000 people have been arrested and more than
100,000 have been sacked or suspended from the military, civil service and
private sector in Turkey's bid to eradicate FETO.
The government says the measures are necessary, given the security threat.
Turkey launched its 1st criminal trial related to the coup attempt in December
and more trials are expected.
(source: trtworld.com)
LIBYA:
Gaddafi son's trial unfair, should be sent to ICC - U.N.
The trial of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, a son of the ousted Libyan leader sentenced
to death in absentia, did not meet international standards and he should face
murder charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the United Nations
said on Tuesday.
Since his father's toppling in 2011, Saif has been held in Zintan, a
mountainous western region, by one of the factions that began contending for
power after Gaddafi was killed.
He was sentenced to death in July 2015 by a Tripoli court for war crimes,
including killing protesters during the revolution. Zintani forces refused to
hand him over, saying they did not trust Tripoli to guarantee he does not
escape.
The U.N. report on the trial of 37 defendants including Saif cited serious
violations of due process, such as prolonged incommunicado detention without
access to families or lawyers, and allegations of torture that were not
properly investigated.
The proceedings "fell short of international norms and standards for fair trial
and also breached Libyan law in some respects", it said. No prosecution
witnesses were called to testify in court, undermining the defendants' ability
to challenge evidence.
"This trial was a missed opportunity for justice," U.N. High Commissioner for
Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement.
Saif, former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi and former Prime Minister
Al-Baghdadi a-Mahmoudi were among nine defendants sentenced to death by firing
squad.
"The Libyan Government has been unable to secure the arrest and surrender of
(Gaddafi), who remains in Zintan and is considered to be outside the control of
the internationally-recognised Libyan authorities," the U.N. report said.
Libya's Court of Cassation is to review the procedures in the case but not the
facts and evidence. "As such the review does not constitute a full appeal as
required by international standards," the U.N. report said.
It called on Libyan authorities to ensure the surrender of Saif to the
Hague-based ICC, "in compliance with Libya's international obligations". The
ICC does not allow the death penalty.
"The (ICC) Prosecutor continues to seek the surrender of (Gaddafi) to the
Libyan authorities in order to proceed with his case," it said.
The report, by the U.N. human rights office and U.N. Support Mission in Libya
(UNSMIL), urged Libyan authorities to reform the criminal justice system saying
that the trial had highlighted "major flaws".
(source: The Kathmandu Post)
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