AI asked not to make request to commute death sentence on Bangabandhu killers
Monday, 23 November 2009
Amnesty International (AI) has been asked to refrain from making request for commuting the death sentence on the former army officers convicted of the murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members.
Chief State Counsel Anisul Huq made the request in the city Sunday following the UK-based human rights watchdog's appeal, reports UNB.
After the conclusive verdict of the Supreme Court on the historic Bangabandhu murder case, the UK-based human rights watchdog in a statement urged the government not to execute the condemned convicts.
The AI observed that the killings of Sheikh Mujib and his family members on August 15, 1975 were grave human-rights abuse and the killers should be brought to justice.
"However, bringing people to justice must not itself violate the human rights of the accused," stated the AI, while the ruling Awami League supporters are calling for executing the Supreme Court verdict without delay.
"Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner," AI stated.
Mr Huq questioned the merit of such requests.
"They should not make such request in an omnibus manner. The facts and circumstances of each individual case should be gone into and understood by them before making such request," Mr Anis told media while giving his reaction over the AI statement.
"There is no scope for commuting the death sentence when a perpetrator without any provocation kills an innocent child, helpless women and person loved by people," the lawyer said, referring to an Indian Supreme Court-tested decision.
Chief State Counsel Anisul Huq made the request in the city Sunday following the UK-based human rights watchdog's appeal, reports UNB.
After the conclusive verdict of the Supreme Court on the historic Bangabandhu murder case, the UK-based human rights watchdog in a statement urged the government not to execute the condemned convicts.
The AI observed that the killings of Sheikh Mujib and his family members on August 15, 1975 were grave human-rights abuse and the killers should be brought to justice.
"However, bringing people to justice must not itself violate the human rights of the accused," stated the AI, while the ruling Awami League supporters are calling for executing the Supreme Court verdict without delay.
"Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner," AI stated.
Mr Huq questioned the merit of such requests.
"They should not make such request in an omnibus manner. The facts and circumstances of each individual case should be gone into and understood by them before making such request," Mr Anis told media while giving his reaction over the AI statement.
"There is no scope for commuting the death sentence when a perpetrator without any provocation kills an innocent child, helpless women and person loved by people," the lawyer said, referring to an Indian Supreme Court-tested decision.