UCA News
Contribute

Pakistan executions surpass decade high

After moratorium lifted, number of executions soar in first five months of 2015
Pakistan executions surpass decade high
Published: June 04, 2015 10:14 AM GMT
Updated: June 03, 2015 11:14 PM GMT

Expressing grave concern over the record number of executions this year, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Wednesday called for the government to impose a moratorium on capital punishment and abolish the death penalty.

In a press statement, Zohra Yusuf, chairwoman of HRCP, said the number of executed death row prisoners in Pakistan this year had reached 135, the highest for any year in a decade.

The government must halt executions and abolish capital punishment, she said.

Yusuf said the resumption of executions as well as the pace with which they are being carried out are matters of concern.

Pakistan executed 134 persons in 2007, but in just five months in 2015, that number has already been exceeded.

Pakistan lifted a six-year moratorium on capital punishment in December last year in the wake of a deadly Taliban attack on a military-run school in Peshawar. At least 150 people, 132 of them children, were executed by terrorists.

The deadliest assault in the country’s history triggered a public outcry and international condemnations, prompting Pakistan to announce a national plan to counter terrorism. One of the 20 points was the resumption of executions.

After executing more than a dozen convicted terrorists, Pakistan resumed executions for all death penalty offenses.

“Dozens of death row prisoners have been executed. In December 2014, seven prisoners were hanged. In January, 13 executions took place, while four convicts were hanged in February. The number shot up to 42 prisoners in March, 36 in April and 37 in May. At this pace Pakistan would be among the states most keen to execute people,” said the HRCP statement.

Death warrant issued for Shafqat Hussin

An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday issued a death warrant for Shafqat Hussain for the third time, and ordered his execution on June 9.

Shafqat was arrested and sentenced to death in 2004 for the kidnapping and involuntary murder of a seven-year-old boy, who lived in a Karachi apartment building where Shafqat worked as a security guard.

Justice Project Pakistan, a non-profit law firm, which takes up cases of death row prisoners, insisted that Shafqat was a juvenile at the time of his sentence. The case drew strong reaction from international groups including the United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Last month, an executive inquiry to determine whether Shafqat was a juvenile at the time of his sentencing concluded that he was 23 years old when the punishment was handed down.

The finding of the inquiry committee was challenged by Shafqat’s counsel in Islamabad High Court. After the hearing, the court rejected Shafqat’s plea for the judicial commission to determine his age.

JPP Director and Shafqat’s counsel Saral Belal said that no attempt has been made by the Pakistani government to investigate Shafqat’s credible allegations that he was tortured into a false confession to the crime for which he received a death sentence.

“The Pakistan government’s behavior in this case has been nothing short of scandalous. They have covered up evidence which may show that Shafqat was a child when he was sentenced to death; they have produced hopelessly contradictory versions of events; and they have threatened to treat those seeking to uphold the rule of law in the country as criminals,” she said.

“Sentencing children to death violates both Pakistani and international law — you would therefore expect the government to take steps to ensure it never happens. Instead, we have seen a phoney inquiry carried out by a hopelessly corrupt agency, which the authorities themselves admit was more a PR exercise than an attempt to get to the truth. If the Pakistani government is serious about its commitment to justice, it would do well to look to its own failings,” she added.

The law firm has filed a mercy petition to the president on Shafqat’s behalf.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia