Stay execution of paraplegic prisoner: HRCP

The HRCP has urged the prime minister to issue stay orders for Basit’s execution


Press Release November 23, 2015
The HRCP has urged the prime minister to issue stay orders for Basit’s execution.

LAHORE:


Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has written to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to stay the execution of Abdul Basit, a paraplegic prisoner on death row, scheduled to be hanged at the Faisalabad Central Jail on November 25.


In its letter, the HRCP highlighted that this was the third time that execution warrants had been issued for Basit. He was first scheduled to be hanged on July 29, but the execution was stayed at the eleventh hour by Lahore High Court, on a writ petition challenging the legality of his execution. On September 1, that petition was dismissed. A new warrant scheduling Basit’s execution for September 22 was subsequently issued, but execution was again stayed after the Supreme Court issued an order stating that the execution could proceed, but only in accordance with the Pakistan Prison Rules.

Abdul Basit had contracted tubercular meningitis in 2010. Though he cannot stand, and is reliant on a wheelchair, he is scheduled to be hanged on Wednesday.

The HRCP chairperson noted that the prison authorities were still awaiting a response after writing to the federal government for guidance on how to proceed with the case.

“It is shocking that orders for Basit’s execution have been issued for a third time, despite the fact that concerns about the legality of his hanging remain as unsatisfied as ever and because he is simply not fit to be hanged.” The HRCP has urged the prime minister to issue stay orders for Basit’s execution.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th,  2015.

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