{"id":6808,"date":"2014-09-11T09:39:51","date_gmt":"2014-09-11T09:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/?p=6808"},"modified":"2021-12-17T09:40:49","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T09:40:49","slug":"hrcp-for-stay-of-execution-abolition-of-death-penalty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/hrcp-for-stay-of-execution-abolition-of-death-penalty\/","title":{"rendered":"HRCP for stay of execution, abolition of death penalty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lahore<\/em><\/strong>, September 11:<\/em><\/strong> The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed grave concern over reports that, despite an informal moratorium on executions, a murder convict is scheduled to be hanged in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, on September 18<\/span>. HRCP has called upon the government to stay the hanging and announce a formal moratorium on executions.<\/p>\n

In a statement issued on Thursday<\/span>, the Commission said: \u201cHRCP has received with great alarm and dismay reports that Shoaib Sarwar, a death row prisoner currently detained in Haripur prison, is set to be hanged in Rawalpindi\u2019s Adiala Jail on September 18<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe convict was awarded death sentence on July 2, 1998 on the charge of murdering Awais Nawaz in Wah Cantt in 1996. The victim\u2019s brother had moved the high court against the delay in implementing the sentence despite exhaustion of all appeals by the convict and rejection of his clemency plea by the president. The high court ordered the district and sessions judge to implement the execution of the sentence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last execution of a civilian death row prisoner in the country had taken place in late 2008. Executions have since been suspended. HRCP wishes to remind the government that the reasons that have caused the stay of executions since 2008 have not changed. These include the well-documented deficiencies of the law, flaws in administration of justice and investigation methods and chronic corruption. In view of these factors, capital punishment allows for a high probability of miscarriages of justice, which is wholly unacceptable in a civilised society, particularly because the punishment is irreversible. Despite the informal stay of executions, capital punishment remains on Pakistan\u2019s statute books for 28 offences, and the courts continue to award death sentences.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgainst this backdrop, Sarwar\u2019s planned execution on September 18<\/span> is a regressive step and raises concerns at several levels. The convict\u2019s relatives have once again asked the president to overturn the sentence and are also trying to settle the issue through payment of blood money. HRCP calls upon the government to immediately halt this and any other executions that might be under consideration and make the informal suspension of executions formal without further delay. We also urge the president to favourably consider mercy petitions and convert capital punishment to life imprisonment.<\/p>\n

\u201cHRCP demands that the government take urgent measures towards abolition of capital punishment, including deletion of the death penalty from the statute book, at least for all but the most serious offences.<\/p>\n

\u201cHRCP also urges the government to sign the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at the abolition of the death penalty. The Commission calls upon parliamentarians, political parties and the civil society to join the campaign for abolition of the death penalty in Pakistan and enhance respect for the right to life in Pakistan.\u201d<\/p>\n

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