ISLAMABAD:
The execution on Thursday of former Pakistani army serviceman Muhammad Hussain who was accused of murder, drew condemnation from both the European Union and the International Commission of Jurists on Friday, who both highlighted the fact that Pakistan broke its de facto four year moratorium on the death penalty.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, issued a statement condemning the execution on behalf of the EU.
“I deeply regret the execution of Pakistani soldier, Muhammad Hussain, on Thursday at a jail in Punjab province. This breaks the de facto moratorium observed by Pakistan for the past four years and goes against the global abolitionist trend. It also undercuts the recent announcement by the government, raising the possibility of introducing legislation to abolish the death penalty,” said Ashton.
Meanwhile, the Asia Director of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) termed the hanging of Muhammad Hussain a step backwards for Pakistan. According to a press release, Sam Zarifi, Asia Director of ICJ, said that breaking the moratorium on the death penalty “is a major step backwards for Pakistan.” What is more disheartening, he said, is that it comes after recent moves by the government to abolish death penalty.
“The death penalty should not have been imposed, but when it is, international law requires that scrupulous effort be taken to ensure all of the guarantees to a fair trial,” said Zarifi. “A military court does not provide the minimum guarantees to a fair trial, notably the right to a fair and public hearing before an impartial and independent tribunal established by law,” Zarifi added.
Muhammad Hussain, a soldier of the army and resident of Langarwala Pul of Sahiwal Tehsil Sargodha District, was accused of killing his senior officer Havaldar Khadim Hussain in 2008 when they were on leave. He was executed on Thursday morning at Mianwali jail. Hussain was not given the right to appeal his conviction in a civilian court.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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International law as refered above needs further consideration. No law in the world,no religion of mankind allowed any one to kill other. Keeping in views justice,peace and social security laws has been enacted by the state authorities. Justice is essential it provide state citizen safety of life and property.
Right, it is an agreed point,military court,regarding the justice is not so dependable as must be.Fair trial must be indispensable part of justice. Investigation must be impartial.in this way ,punishment can be awarded to those responsible for murder crime .
No one has right to take other's life.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, issued a statement condemning the execution on behalf of the EU. “I deeply regret the execution of Pakistani soldier, Muhammad Hussain, on Thursday at a jail in Punjab province.
Why they after Pakistan, just to put pressure on Pakistan for business opputunities in EU.
In China, there are Capital Punishment on about 50 crimes, they are asking Aids, and help from China, just to establish their Economic stability.
Can they ask China to abolish the Capital punishment
Who is EU and ICJ to object on this death penalty. It is followed in almost all Muslim countries, specially bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Saudia etc but I don't know what is the problem with these westerners with Pakistan. Just because we are the only nuclear power in Muslim world so they only concentrate on us. Why not on Saudia, because westerners are greedy of oil and they get from Saudia so they just close there eyes when they execute many every year, and which is right. If someone is a murderer or rapist, he deserves death.
Death penalty is allowed as per Islamic law, why should it be abolished? what is afraid of death penalty, it is only given cases of rape, murder, and extreme senerio..
Pak has no rights ... on what ground we talk about Human Rights? First stop killing citizens in karachi, Swat, wazrista,, gilgit, baltistan, and of course Balochistan... A brutal country this has become where 80% of land is out of Govt control. We have once again broken our promise of abolishing this to international community. But then again duplicity and double talk is in our genes and national identity.
Leave Pakistan alone.