| Uthaya: Suhakam's conduct deplorable |
| Charles Hector | Apr 25, 08 3:48pm |
| I refer to the Malaysiakini report Suhakam: Uthaya wasn't denied treatment. Madpet (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) is disappointed by the fact that the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) made and pronounced conclusions about complaints about detention conditions and health care of an Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee in Kamunting Detention Centre without even meeting with the said P Uthayakumar. The Malaysian Human Rights Commission should never come to any conclusion or finding without at least meeting and talking to both sides. In this case, it was reported that the Suhakam team, led by Human Rights Commissioner Siva Subramaniam, had meetings with ‘…senior officials, the doctor and police personnel at the camp, as well as medical personnel in Taiping hospital’. It was also reported that ‘Uthayakumar was neither present during the four-hour probe, nor interviewed by the team’. When Siva Subramaniam was asked why Uthayakumar’s side of the story was not heard it was reported, ‘He pointed out that media reports were also sufficient to highlight Uthayakumar’s plight’. The manner in which this ‘inquiry’ was done and the conclusions reached are very wrong, and is a deprivation of Uthayakumar and his family’s fundamental right to be heard and participate in any inquiry and/or investigation. Uthayakumar is already a victim of a draconian law that allows for detention without trial - where there is no right to defend oneself; no right to a fair and open trial and no right to even go for judicial review of the alleged reasons for detaining him. As such, the manner in which Suhakam conducted themselves in this case makes it even more deplorable and is certainly unacceptable behaviour for a national human rights commission. Madpet seriously hopes that the making of such speedy ‘conclusions - in this case by Commissioner Siva Subramanian - was not affected by the fact that his current term expires in July 2008, and a belief that a ‘pro-government’ positioning now may assist chances of a re-appointment for another two-year term. Human rights commissioners and Suhakam must at all times be independent and be seen to be independent and fearless and should only be driven by human rights and justice considerations. If a human rights commissioner cannot do this by reason of fear or some other reason, then the proper and ethical thing to do is to resign. Madpet urges Suhakam to immediately retract its conclusions about the complaints by Uthayakumar, his family and/or his friends as reported in the media, and conduct a proper inquiry into these complaints in the proper manner – which would necessarily include that the fundamental rights to be heard and to participate be accorded to the alleged victim and the complainants. Madpet also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Uthayakumar and all those currently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and other laws that allow for detention without trial and that all laws that allow for detention without trial be repealed. The writer represents Madpet. |
Friday, April 25, 2008
Uthaya: Suhakam's conduct deplorable - MADPET (Malaysiakini)
Hindraf wants Suhakam commissioner out (malaysiakini)
| Hindraf wants Suhakam commissioner out | |
| Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Apr 25, 08 12:12pm | |
| Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) lawyers have accused the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) of deceit and demanded for one of its commissioners to step down.
"It’s a lie. The report is totally incorrect. Uthayakumar is in bad shape. He has been denied medical attention for more than a month now," he told reporters at a Hindraf gathering outside Istana Negara this morning. About 30 supporters gathered outside the palace gates to submit a memorandum seeking royal intervention for the release of Uthayakumar and four others held under the Internal Security Act (ISA). The memorandum was handed to a palace official by Vaishnavi, the five-year-old daughter of Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy who is currently in self-exile in London. 'Blatant lie'
This was caused by deliberate medical negligence on the side of the government, alleged the politician. Hindraf lawyer and DAP MP for Teluk Intan M Manogaran also lambasted the alleged denial of medical treatment, which he described as "inhuman." "We deplore Suhakam’s report, it is a blatant lie. Siva Subramaniam must step down immediately," he added.
He, however, did not meet Uthayakmar or any of the other four Hindraf detainees during his visit. Threat to BN, not nation In their memorandum to the King, Hindraf lawyers appealed to his highness to facilitate the release of the five.
Manogaran stressed that the use of ISA to detain the Hindraf leaders was utterly unjust and appealed to the King to raise the matter in his parliamentary address next Monday. "ISA is evil and the government that carries it is an evil government. We urge the King to look into the matter and justly react by releasing all of them," added Surendran. They argued that Hindraf is not a threat to national security but to the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional. The other Hindraf leaders under detention are M Manoharan, V Ganabatirau, R Kenghadharan and T Vasantha Kumar. All five were detained on Dec 13 shortly after they had organised a mammoth street rally which drew some 30,000 people. Watch 2-min video in Malaysiakini.tv
| |
Meanwhile, PKR Kapar MP S Manickvasagam, who was also present, claimed that Uthayakumar’s blood sugar level (right) had increased to a worrying point.
On Wednesday, Subramaniam, after visiting the Kamunting detention centre, said that Uthayakumar was given proper medical treatment by the authorities. 
This action followed a recent media report stating that the King had consented to the government’s recommendation for the Hindraf leaders to be detained for two years 
Thursday, April 24, 2008
MEDIA STATEMENT –
SUHAKAM’S CONDUCT UNBECOMING OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
- Conduct proper inquiry into complaints concerning P. Uthayakumar
MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) is disappointed by the fact that the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) made and pronounced conclusions about complaints about detention conditions and health care of an Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee in Kamunting Detention Centre without even meeting with the said P. Uthayakumar. This was reported by Malaysiakini(
The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) should never come to any conclusions or findings without at least meeting and talking to both sides.
In this case, it was reported that the SUHAKAM team led by Human Rights Commissioner Datuk Siva Subramaniam, had meetings with “…senior officials, the doctor and police personnel at the camp, as well as medical personnel in Taiping hospital…”
It was also reported in Malaysiakini that “Uthayakumar was neither present during the four-hour probe, nor interviewed by the team…”
When Datuk Siva Subramaniam was apparently “…asked why Uthayakumar’s side of the story was not heard….He pointed out that media reports were also sufficient to highlight Uthayakumar’s plight….”(Malaysiakini).
The manner in which this “inquiry” was done and the conclusions reached are very wrong, and is a deprivation of P.Uthayakumar and his family’s fundamental right to be heard and participate in any inquiry and/or investigation.
P. Uthayakumar is already a victim of a draconian law that allows for detention without trial - where there is no right to defend oneself; no right to a fair and open trial; and no right to even go for judicial review of the alleged reasons for detaining him.
As such, the manner in which Siva Subramanian and SUHAKAM conducted themselves in this case makes it even more deplorable and is certainly unacceptable behaviour for a National Human Rights Commission.
MADPET seriously hopes that the making of such speedy “conclusions” in this case by Commissioner Siva Subramanian, was not affected by the fact that his current term expires in July 2008, and a belief that a ‘pro-government’ positioning now may assist chances of a re-appointment for another 2-year term.
Human Right Commissioners and the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) must at all times be independent, and be seen to be independent, fearless and should only be driven by human rights and justice considerations. If a Human Rights Commissioner cannot do this by reason of fear or some other reason, then the proper and ethical thing to do is to resign.
MADPET urges SUHAKAM to immediately retract its conclusions about the complaints by P. Uthayakumar, his family and/or his friends, as reported in the media, and conduct a proper inquiry into these complaints in the proper manner – which would necessarily include that fundamental right to be heard and to participate accorded to the alleged victim and the complainants.
MADPET also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of P. Utayakumar, M. Manoharan and all those currently detained under the Internal Security Act(ISA) and other laws that allow for detention without trial.
MADPET also reiterates its call that the ISA and all laws that allow for detention without trial be repealed.
Charles Hector
for Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Suhakam: Uthaya wasn't denied treatment (Malaysiakini)
| Suhakam: Uthaya wasn't denied treatment |
| Beh Lih Yi | Apr 23, 08 3:14pm |
| Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar has not been denied proper medical treatment, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has found following a probe. Commissioner N Siva Subramaniam said the claims were found to be untrue during Suhakam’s visit yesterday to the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak. There have been rising concerns over the health of Uthayakumar, a diabetic for the past 12 years. He is currently being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Kamunting.  “His situation is under control and he is happy with the medicines given to him,” Siva Subramaniam told a press conference at the Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today. Alos present was commission secretary Ahmad Yusuf Ngah.Siva Subramaniam said he led a team which met with senior officials, the doctor and police personnel at the camp, as well as medical personnel in Taiping hospital. Uthayakumar was neither present during the four-hour probe, nor interviewed by the team. The commissioner said his team discovered that certain claims were false - that Uthayakumar had been treated merely by a health assistant and that he had been discharged too soon from the hospital.  It was also not true that he had been denied medicine for diabetes over the past month despite repeated requests to the director of the Kamunting camp.“His family wanted to provide medicine to Uthayakumar but under the rules and regulations (of the camp), the medicine needs to come from the health ministry,” he noted. Siva Subramaniam said the substance of medicine was found to be the same from both sources. “He told the doctor that he is satisfied with what is being given to him,” said the commissioner, who nonetheless stressed that it was the right of any detainee to receive proper medical treatment. Siva Subramaniam was asked why Uthayakumar’s side of the story was not heard. “We came to a conclusion that as far as diseases and confidentiality of medical treatment (are concerned), it should be maintained between doctor and patient; a third party shouldn’t know what’s happening,” he contended. He pointed out that media reports were also sufficient to highlight Uthayakumar’s plight. To another question, he said the detainee’s family had not approached Suhakam for help, but understands that over 30 police reports had been lodged over the claim that Uthayakumar was being deprived of due medical attention. Visit to Lenggeng tomorrow  Uthayakumar is among five Hindraf leaders who were detained under the ISA on Dec 13 last year after organising a mammoth rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25. This saw some 30,000 Indian Malaysians protesting against perceived marginalisation and discrimination.He was admitted to the Taiping hospital on April 7 after his sugar level rose to more than three times the normal level. He was discharged on April 10 and taken back to the detention centre, but his family insisted that he was still unwell. There have been calls from rights groups and politicians, including the MIC, to provide the lawyer-activist proper medical attention. There are currently 70 detainees in Kamunting under the ISA, a law which the government-backed human rights commission has consistently opposed.  Siva Subramaniam also said he will lead a Suhakam team to the Lenggeng detention centre in Negri Sembilan tomorrow, after a riot on Monday.During the incident, about 60 Burmese detainees reportedly tried to pull down the perimeter fence and afterwards torched an administration building. More than 100 members of the people’s volunteer corps, riot police, civil defence department and fire and rescue service personnel had to be called in to contain the riot. |
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
MADPET SAYS NO TO PROPOSAL TO WHIP ‘MAT REMPIT’
MEDIA STATEMENT –
MADPET SAYS NO TO PROPOSAL TO WHIP ‘MAT REMPIT’
MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) is disturbed by the recent statement of Federal Traffic chief Senior Assistant Commissioner II Datuk Hamza Taib, as reported in the Star (
The report stated that “...under the proposed Section 42 (A), illegal racers can be jailed for up to five years and fined not less than RM5,000, and have their licences suspended for three years for a first offence…The penalty for second-time offenders would be a minimum of 10 years’ jail, three strokes of the rotan, not less than RM10,000 fine, and not less than a five-year suspension of the driving licence…”
Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment".
Whipping is one such cruel, inhumane, degrading form of punishment, and there is no good reason why the punishment of whipping is still there in the statute books of caring compassionate
The only flawed reason why some may want to add whipping as an extra-punishment for repeat offenders of an offence under the Road Transport Act is possibly the belief that it will have a deterrent effect. This reasoning is baseless for there is no evidence whatsoever to support such a belief. It is also unlikely that Malaysian authorities will be able to supply Malaysians evidence that the introduction of the punishment of whipping has had a direct consequence in the reduction of any crime.
The Malaysian government must seriously look into root causes, which may reveal that it was the failings of the government itself that has led to such crime in Malaysia today, and if that be the case, then the taking of the easy way out by just blaming the “Mat Rempits” and the introducing whipping as an additional punishment is wrong and unacceptable.
It should be noted that the Malaysian Bar, a body of about 13,000 lawyers, did in March 2007 pass a resolution unanimously calling for the abolition of the whipping sentence from the laws of
MADPET calls for an immediate removal of the sentence of whipping from the laws of Malaysia.
MADPET calls also for an end of the execution of the sentence of whipping, which has been known to cause permanent physical and psychological damage to victims, including also impotency.
MADPET calls also for Malaysia to immediately ratify the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984).
Charles Hector
for Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET)
Friday, April 18, 2008
Whipping, longer jail term for Mat Rempit proposed
Friday April 18, 2008
Whipping for illegal road racers
By KULDEEP S. JESSY
Mat Rempits and other would be illegal racers, beware!
KUALA LUMPUR: Habitual illegal road racers and Mat Rempits will face whipping under proposed amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987.
Federal Traffic chief Senior Asst Comm II Datuk Hamza Taib warned that once the amendments became law, they may be given three strokes of the rotan.
Those who are underage could face up to 100 hours of community service under the supervision of the Welfare Department.
Currently, police charge those involved in illegal racing under Section 42 (1) of the Act, which carries a maximum RM15,000 fine or not more than five years’ jail, and a two-year suspension of the driving licence.
Under the proposed Section 42 (A), illegal racers can be jailed for up to five years and fined not less than RM5,000, and have their licences suspended for three years for a first offence.
“The penalty for second-time offenders would be a minimum of 10 years’ jail, three strokes of the rotan, not less than RM10,000 fine, and not less than a five-year suspension of the driving licence,” SAC Hamza told reporters after Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan launched the Public Bank-police safety campaign, to address the Mat Rempit problem among youths, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
A proposed Section 42 (A)(B) would also allow the police to seize the motorcycles used and for the machines to be disposed of once a conviction is obtained.
However, a proposal to take action against spectators under the same Act was rejected by the committee chaired by the Transport Ministry.
SAC Hamza said police would also take action against organisers of illegal racing under existing preventive laws.
2008/04/18 (NST)
Whipping, longer jail term for Mat Rempit proposed
By : Alang BendaharaKUALA LUMPUR: Habitual illegal street racers or Mat Rempit will face whipping as well as a maximum 10-year imprisonment under proposed amendments by police to the Road Transport Act 1987.
At present, he said, those who were involved in illegal race were charged under Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum RM15,000 fine or not more than five years' jail, and a two-year suspension of the driving licence.
The proposed new Section 42 (A) for first-time offenders provides the same jail sentence but a minimum fine of RM5,000 and a three-year suspension of licence.
For repeat offenders, the penalty is a maximum of 10 years' jail, three strokes of rotan, a mandatory RM10,000 fine and a mandatory five-year suspension of the driving licence.
Another new sub-section, Section 42 (A) (B) of the act, will allow police to seize motorcycles which would be disposed of with or without a court order once offenders are convicted of the offence.
Speaking after the launch of the Anda Bijak, Anda Selamat road safety campaign organised by Public Bank here yesterday, Hamza said police had also wanted to act against spectators of illegal races but it was rejected by a committee chaired by the Transport Ministry.
"The proposal was dropped as there would be problems in differentiating between spectators and passers-by."
He said police would gather information on illegal race organisers and would forward the case files to Bukit Aman and the Home Ministry for action.
Action against them included sending them to the Sim-pang Renggam detention centre or putting them under restricted residence, he added.
On Wednesday, the Kuantan Magistrate Court sentenced illegal street racer Ahmad Afzal Sabari Zumadi, 28, to two years' jail, fine of RM6,000 and a two-year suspension of his licence.
Present during the road safety campaign launch was Federal Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Hussin Ismail, who commended Public Bank for helping police educate school children on the dangers of illegal street racing.
Public Bank founder and chairman Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow said the bank would distribute 50,000 copies of the Road User Information Guide to schools through the Education Ministry.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Amnesty International Malaysia:- Release Stats on Executions...etc
17 April 2008
Amnesty International Malaysia would hereby bring to
your attention the following response to the Deputy
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Ismail Omar’s
comment on the recent Amnesty International Report on
Death Penalty in Malaysia. We are of the view that the
observation made by Datuk Ismail Omar on the report is
incorrect and therefore his comment is misleading.
The report titled “Death Sentences and Executions in
2007”, released on April 15 2008, merely asserts the
fact that information on executions and death penalty
in Malaysia, a country that retains and practices
death penalty as a form of punishment for a various
offences, is shrouded in secrecy. The report in every
sentence either directly or indirectly did not assert
or put forward any fact of arbitrary executions or
extra judicial killings by the police in Malaysia or
any other facts that undermine police investigations
and criminal procedures.
The following is the exact paragraph taken from the
April 15 report titled “Death Sentences and Executions
in 2007” (AI Index: ACT 50/001/2008) that can be
referred to at our website at www.amnesty.org.
“…Amnesty International remains concerned that
executions may have taken place in Mongolia and
Malaysia. However, due to the secretive nature of the
use of the death penalty the organization was unable
to obtain reliable information.”
Amnesty International Malaysia therefore calls on the
government of Malaysia to make an official release on
all statistics on executions and death sentences in
Malaysia to date. We also urge the government to be
more transparent and report on cases and statistics of
death penalty and executions to the Parliament
annually. The United Nations in the past repeated
calls for the death penalty only to be used in an open
and transparent manner.
K.Shan
Campaigns Co-Ordinator
Amnesty International Malaysia
DEATH PENALTY: Beijing Sentence Shakes Malaysia's Own Policy
By Baradan Kuppusamy
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (IPS) - Malaysia's unshakable stand on the death penalty appears to be wavering as a country unites in sympathy and outrage over the plight of a young Malay woman sentenced to death in China for allegedly acting as a drug courier.
Umi Azlim Mohamad Lazim, 24, a university science graduate from a poor Malay family of rice farmers, admitted to having 2.9 kilograms in her luggage when she was arrested at Shantou airport last January.
She told a court in southeast China during her trial in May 2007, that she was travelling for a highly-paid job she secured over the internet. But she was unaware what was in the bag she was carrying for a Nigerian friend. The judge rejected her explanation and sentenced her to death, the usual sentence for such an offence.
"She thought she was carrying important corporate documents," her mother, Umi Ibrahim, told IPS. "We cry everyday ... what can we do? We want her to live not die."
Most Malaysians appear to share the mother's anguish.
The case is fast-developing into an emotive national issue. Politicians have set aside their differences to halt Lazim's execution. The ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and its rival the Islamic fundamentalist Pan Malaysian Islamic Party are even vying in their efforts.
Both are collecting money for the family, working to arrange family visits and promising they will save Lazim from execution.
The government is at a distinct disadvantage in the race to save Lazim. Malaysia's punishment for drug-related crimes is as harsh, if not harsher, than most other countries. The government supports the death penalty.
"Malaysia has suddenly woken up to the fact that ordinary Malaysians are now caught in the same death-penalty trap that we put others in," Nagarajan Surendran, a human rights lawyer and executive co-director of Malaysians Against the Death Penalty, a NGO campaigning against capital punishment, told IPS. Trafficking in more than 200 grams of dangerous drugs carries a death sentence.
"Today there are about 300 people on death row here, mostly for drug offences," Surendran said. Many of the 359 people executed from 1980 to 2001 had been sentenced for drug offences.
Much national outrage is today focused on how the Chinese might eventually end Lazim's life, although her sentence has been suspended for two years on humanitarian grounds. "People are shot in their heads with rifles. It is a horrific way for a young girl to die," said Surendran, expressing a widely-expressed view.
The case has also suddenly brought to public attention a number of others. There are some 30 young Malaysian women either sentenced or awaiting trial for drug-related offences in more than a dozen countries besides China, including Japan, Brazil and Peru. Several could be sentenced to death.
Many are university graduates lured by offers of high salaries and opportunities to travel. Behind the tempting offers are shady front companies run by international drug cartels.
"The syndicates are willing to throw money at the unsuspecting girls before they make their moves," federal narcotics department director Bakri Zinin told local newspapers in November.
The problem of young Malaysians caught ferrying drugs is already posing a major problem for the foreign ministry. Diplomats are kept busy finding defence lawyers, monitoring trails and making regular health and welfare checks on the young women.
"Their fate is a major embarrassment to the government," said Ramu Annamalai Kandasamy, a human rights lawyer representing many such clients and death-row inmates, told IPS. "The government has to come up with a firm policy on how to help the victims on death-row in far off countries."
Surendran's proposal is for Malaysia to introduce an immediate moratorium on executions. This would lift the threat of execution of foreigners on Malaysian soil. Other countries would be likely to respond in kind.
"Malaysia would get a more sympathetic hearing if it imposed a moratorium. One good turn deserves another," he argues.
"People would understand," he adds, suggesting that the public would agree that a change in policy over the death penalty was the most diplomatically effective way of saving the lives of condemned Malaysians on foreign death-rows.
A moratorium could also help secure the reduction in other harsh sentences imposed on Malaysians by foreign courts, diplomatic sources say. Peru was ready to reduce sentences of up to 20 years imposed on Malaysians in return for the sparing five of its nationals on death-row in Malaysia, they add.
Many opposition politicians would support a moratorium, or even total abolition, if it could save the lives of Malaysians like Lazim.
"These girls made a mistake in their youth. They deserve to live, not to be killed so cruelly. Imagine the pain their loved ones are going through," said opposition lawmaker Teresa Kok.
"If Malaysia abolishes the death sentence it can stand on a higher moral ground and ask foreign countries to spare the hangman's noose.
"It is time Malaysia complied with international standards," she added, citing the U.N. General Assembly resolution last December calling for a moratorium on executions. The resolution urged all states that still maintain the death penalty "to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty".
(END/2008)
Amnesty report on executions refuted by Malaysian POLICE....
"Many countries carry out executions in secret and refuse to divulge any information on the use of the death penalty. Such countries include China, Singapore, Malaysia and Mongolia. ..."
" Amnesty International remains concerned that executions may have taken place in Mongolia and Malaysia. However, due to the secretive nature of the use of the death penalty the organization was unable to obtain reliable information...."
It is true that in Malaysia, it is very difficult to get information about the number of executions that have taken place. The only way of finding out is through the difficult process of getting a Member of Parliament to ask the Minister a question. There must be an easier way of getting the figures as to the number of executions, etc... and note that there are existing UN Resolutions that require Malaysia to disclose this information, and other relevant information - which it seems Malaysia has not done yet, especially with regard to the figures for the number of executions carried out in 2007...
Also wonder why it is the POLICE that is now refuting the Amnesty Report -- should it not be the Minsiter in charge of EXECUTIONS of the Death Penalty. The allegation made in the Amnesty Report is not about "extra-judicial killings" - but that the carrying out of executions have been done in SECRET - no opportunity also for any person/s for the abolition of capital punishment to launch a last minute plea for clemency, etc....
But, then that is MALAYSIA - everything is SECRET - and so do not come and make noise when some body accuses that we been secretive and not open & TRANSPARENT..
Thursday April 17, 2008
Amnesty report on executions refuted
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have refuted an Amnesty International report alleging Malaysia was carrying out secret executions in the country.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Ismail Omar vehemently denied the allegations saying Malaysia should not be included in such a category.
“Police carry out their investigations openly and all procedures carried out by the force is based on the laws of the country,” he said when asked to comment on allegations made by Amnesty International in its 2007annual report released in London on Tuesday.
Ismail said it was up to Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to decide whether the police should contact Amnesty International for a clarification.
The report “expressed deep concern” that many more people were killed secretly in countries such as Mongolia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
The report claimed that China executed more people than any other country last year by putting at least 470 people to death,
The United States was fifth in the rankings with 42 executions.
Amnesty International Document - Death sentences and executions in 2007
Document - Death sentences and executions in 2007
[EMBARGOED FOR: 15 APRIL 2008] Public
DOCUMENT - DEATH SENTENCES AND EXECUTIONS IN 2007
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
2. How the global totals are calculated 4
4. Reports of executions in 2007 6
1. Introduction
During 2007, at least 1252 people were executed in 24 countries. At least 3347 people were sentenced to death in 51 countries. These were only minimum figures; the true figures were certainly higher.
Many countries carry out executions in secret and refuse to divulge any information on the use of the death penalty. Such countries include China, Singapore, Malaysia and Mongolia. The United Nations has repeatedly called for the death penalty only to be used in an open and transparent manner.
In resolution 1989/64, adopted on 24 May 1989, the UN Economic and Social Council urged UN member states "to publish, for each category of offence for which the death penalty is authorized, and if possible on an annual basis, information about the use of the death penalty, including the number of persons sentenced to death, the number of executions actually carried out, the number of persons under sentence of death, the number of death sentences reversed or commuted on appeal and the number of instances in which clemency has been granted, and to include information on the extent to which the safeguards referred to above are incorporated in national law".
In resolution 2005/59, adopted on 20 April 2005, the UN Commission on Human Rights called upon all states that still maintain the death penalty "to make available to the public information with regard to the imposition of the death penalty and to any scheduled execution".
The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions has stated: "Transparency is essential wherever the death penalty is applied. Secrecy as to those executed violates human rights standards. Full and accurate reporting of all executions should be published, and a consolidated version prepared on at least an annual basis."1
2. How the global totals are calculated
AI annual figures for the total known death sentences and executions are minimum figures. In compiling them from the information obtained by Amnesty International, we use the largest figure that can safely be inferred from the information provided. If AI knows that at least three executions were carried out, we count it as three. If AI knows that there were executions but does not know how many, this year we are indicating it with “+”.
3. Key
“+” after a number indicates that the figure is a minimum one. The true figure is at least the figure shown. For example, “47+” means that there were at least 47 executions in 2007.
If “+” is not preceded by a number, it means that we know that there were executions or death sentences (at least more than one) but we do not know how many.
4. Reports of executions in 2007
| Country | Executions |
| CHINA | 470+ |
| IRAN | 317+ |
| SAUDI ARABIA | 143+ |
| PAKISTAN | 135+ |
| USA | 42 |
| IRAQ | 33+ |
| VIET NAM | 25+ |
| YEMEN | 15+ |
| AFGHANISTAN | 15 |
| LIBYA | 9+ |
| JAPAN | 9 |
| SYRIA | 7+ |
| SUDAN | 7+ |
| BANGLADESH | 6 |
| SOMALIA | 5+ |
| EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 3 |
| SINGAPORE | 2 |
| KUWAIT | 1+ |
| INDONESIA | 1+ |
| BOTSWANA | 1+ |
| BELARUS | 1+ |
| ETHIOPIA | 1 |
| EGYPT | + |
| NORTH KOREA | + |
Amnesty International remains concerned that executions may have taken place in Mongolia and Malaysia. However, due to the secretive nature of the use of the death penalty the organization was unable to obtain reliable information.
5. Reports of death sentences in 2007
| Country | Death Sentences |
| CHINA | 1860+ |
| PAKISTAN | 307+ |
| ALGERIA | 271 |
| IRAQ | 199+ |
| USA | 100+ |
| INDIA | 100+ |
| BANGLADESH | 93 |
| VIET NAM | 83+ |
| MONGOLIA | 45 |
| EGYPT | 40+ |
| CONGO(Democratic Republic) | 24+ |
| SUDAN | 23+ |
| JAPAN | 23 |
| NIGERIA | 20+ |
| JORDAN | 17+ |
| MALAYSIA | 12 |
| MADAGASCAR | 12 |
| INDONESIA | 11+ |
| UGANDA | 10+ |
| SYRIA | 10+ |
| SRI LANKA | 10+ |
| ZAMBIA | 8 |
| THAILAND | 6+ |
| TAIWAN | 5 |
| LEBANON | 4+ |
| BELARUS | 4 |
| PAPUA NEW GUINEA | 3+ |
| TUNISIA | 3 |
| UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | 2+ |
| KUWAIT | 2+ |
| BAHRAIN | 2 |
| GAMBIA | 2 |
| SINGAPORE | 2 |
| SOUTH KOREA | 2 |
| MOROCCO | 1 |
| ZIMBABWE | 1 |
| BAHAMAS | + |
| BURUNDI | + |
| CHAD | + |
| ETHIOPIA | + |
| GUYANA | + |
| IRAN | + |
| JAMAICA | + |
| KENYA | + |
| NORTH KOREA | + |
| LIBYA | + |
| SAUDI ARABIA | + |
| ST.CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS | + |
| TANZANIA | + |
| TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO | + |
| YEMEN | + |
The above figures represent those death sentences known to Amnesty International. Other countries may have condemned prisoners to death but the information has gone unreported.
6. Considerations on the death penalty figures
As in previous years, the vast majority of executions worldwide were carried out in a small handful of countries. In 2007, 88 per cent of all known executions took place in five countries: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the USA. Saudi Arabia had the highest number of executions per capita, followed by Iran and Libya.
In 2007 the Chinese authorities again refused to publish statistics on the government's use of the death penalty leaving the world in the dark about the number of executions carried out. Amnesty International believes there is likely to have been a significant drop in executions during 2007 after Supreme People’s Court (SPC) review for all death sentences was restored on 1 January. In 2007 470 executions were recorded by AI, but this number is based on public reports available and serves as an absolute minimum. The US-based organization “Dui Hua Foundation” estimates that 6,000 people were executed last year based on figures obtained from local officials. In a country as vast as China with tight government controls on information and the mediaonly the authorities know the reality behind the use of the death penalty.
In June 2007 the authorities claimed a 10 per cent reduction in death sentences as a result of SPC review, but failed to provide figures to back this up. SPC review increases the time between sentencing and execution and a significant backlog in executions may have developed over the year. Amnesty International would welcome any drop in the number of executions by the world's biggest user of the death penalty. As Beijing prepares to host the Olympics, we challenge the government of China to end its secretive use of the death penalty and provide detailed information about the use of capital punishment. Only then can a full and informed debate around the appropriateness of the use of the death penalty take place.
In 2007 Iran executed at least 317 people, Saudi Arabia 143 and Pakistan 135. These are all minimum figures. There were 42 executions in 10 states in the USA.
The worldwide figure for those currently condemned to death and awaiting execution is difficult to assess. The estimated number at the end of 2007 was between 18,311 and 27,562 based on information from human rights groups, media reports and the limited official figures available2.
In 2007 three countries carried out executions for crimes committed by people below eighteen years of age3. Mohammad Mousawi (16 years old at the time of the offence), Sa’id Quanbar Zahi (17 years old at the time of the execution), Makwan Moloudzadeh (13 at the time of the offence) were executed in Iran on 22 April, 27 May and 4 December respectively. Dhahian Rakan al-Sibai’I, who was 15 or 16 years old when he committed the crime, was executed in Saudi Arabia on 21 July 2007, while Adil Muhammad Saif al-Ma’amari was executed in Yemen in February 2007. He was 16 years old at the time of the offence.
1 Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions: Report of the Special Rapporteur..., UN document E/CN.4/2005/7, 22 December 2004, Para. 87.
2 For further information visit: http://www3.sympatico.ca/aiwarren/global.htm
3This is prohibited under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. See also the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 6 par.5: “Sentence of death shall not be imposed for crimes committed by persons below eighteen years of age and shall not be carried out on pregnant women.”
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Medical Care and Treatment NOW for Uthayakumar
| Mum appeals to PM for Uthayakumar's transfer | | | |
| Wednesday, 16 April 2008 09:38am | |
|
New Straits Times K. Kalaivaniy, 64, claimed that Uthayakumar's health was deteriorating at the Kamunting detention centre. She said Uthayakumar, 46, a diabetic, was admitted to the Taiping Hospital in December for high blood sugar but was prematurely discharged despite high glucose levels. She said she was willing to bear the cost of medical treatment as she did not wish to burden the authorities with unnecessary medical bills. |
• China 'gold medal' for executions (BBC)
Monday, 14 April 2008 00:35 UK
China 'gold medal' for executions
 More than 60 crimes can carry the death penalty in China |
The Chinese authorities put to death at least 470 people last year, but may have killed up to 8,000, human rights group Amnesty International has said.
Amnesty said the hidden extent of executions in China, where figures are secret, might mean the Olympic host was behind the bulk of them worldwide.
"The veil of secrecy surrounding the death penalty must be lifted," it said.
At least 1,252 people are known to have been executed in 24 countries in 2007, a slight drop on the previous year.
Just five countries - China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the US - were responsible for 88% of known executions in the world, Amnesty said.
About 3,347 people were sentenced to death in 51 nations last year and up to 27,500 people are now estimated to be on death row.
Swift justice
In its annual report on the death penalty, Amnesty International said China had executed more than any country last year, but warned that the real figure was likely to be several thousand.
"As the world's biggest executioner, China gets the 'gold medal' for global executions," said the organisation's UK director, Kate Allen.
 |  Many governments claim that executions take place with public support - people therefore have a right to know what is being done in their name Amnesty International |
"According to reliable estimates, on average China secretly executes around 22 prisoners every day - that's 374 people during the Olympic Games," she added.
More than 60 crimes can carry the death penalty in China, including tax fraud, stealing VAT receipts, damaging electric power facilities, selling counterfeit medicine, embezzlement, accepting bribes and drug offences, Amnesty said.
Those sentenced to death are usually shot, but some provinces are introducing lethal injections, which the government says is more humane.
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville, in Beijing, says justice is usually swift - most of those sentenced to death are executed only weeks after they are found guilty.
| GLOBAL EXECUTIONS IN 2007 Minimum of 1,252 people were executed in 24 countries At least 3,347 sentenced to death in more than 50 countries Up to 27,500 on death row China: at least 470, estimated more than 8000 Iran: at least 317 people, up from 177 in 2006 Saudi Arabia: at least 143, up from 39 Pakistan: at least 135, up from 82 |
The death penalty has popular support in China, our correspondent says, and the government has been attempting to reform the system.
Last year, it decreed that all cases involving the death penalty had to be referred to the Supreme Court. According to state media, this led to a 10% fall in executions in the first five months of 2007.
Amnesty urged the International Olympic Committee and athletes to press for greater openness about executions during the Olympic Games in Beijing this August.
"The secretive use of the death penalty must stop: the veil of secrecy surrounding the death penalty must be lifted," it added.
"Many governments claim that executions take place with public support. People therefore have a right to know what is being done in their name."
UN resolution
Iran was second to China with 317 known executions during 2007, the report said, followed by Saudi Arabia on 143, Pakistan on 135 and the US on 42.
Amnesty said the totals had risen alarmingly in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, but that worldwide they showed a drop - down to 1,252 from 1,591 the previous year.
 Iran was second to China, with 317 known executions in 2007 |
The executions in Iran included the stoning to death of a man for adultery, and the execution of three people who were teenagers aged between 13 and 16 at the time of their arrests, it added.
In Saudi Arabia, those killed included a child offender aged 15 or 16 at the time of his detention, and an Egyptian man who was beheaded for "sorcery" and adultery - one of at least 76 foreigners executed by the Gulf kingdom.
Despite the statistics, Amnesty welcomed the wider trend toward the global abolition of the death penalty, noting that in December 2007, the UN General Assembly had voted by a large majority in favour of a resolution calling for an end to capital punishment.
"The taking of life by the state is one of the most drastic acts a government can undertake. We are urging all governments to follow the commitments made at the UN and abolish the death penalty once and for all," it added.