Capital punishment: EU, ICJ condemn execution in Pakistan
EU says move goes against global abolitionist trend; ICJ calls it ‘step backwards’.
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.
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.