MDE 31/016/2007 - 31 August 2007
Adib Mohamed ’Ali al-Magtari, who was sentenced to death in 2003 for murder, had his appeals rejected by the Court of Appeal in Ta’iz in August 2005 and the Supreme Court in 2007. If the President ratifies the sentence he could be facing imminent execution.
He is one of about 53 prisoners facing imminent execution at Ta’iz prison after exhausting their appeals. Two others held with him were executed on 29 August. Both Abdul Malik Abdul-Hamid Abdul-Wahabd Farhan and Abdul Raqib Mansur Nasr had been convicted of murder.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION Amnesty International has longstanding concerns about the use of the death penalty in Yemen, particularly as death sentences are often passed after proceedings which fall short of international standards for fair trial. Amnesty International recognises the right and responsibility of governments to bring to justice those suspected of recognisably criminal offences, but is unconditionally opposed to the death penalty in all cases as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and violation of the right to life.
RECOMMENDED ACTION : Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Arabic or English or your own language :
urging the President not to ratify the death sentence passed on Adib Mohamed ’Ali al-Magtari, and prevent his execution ;
urging the President to commute Adib Mohamed Ali al-Magtari’s death sentence, and those of all others who are facing imminent execution ;
acknowledging that the government has a right to bring to justice those responsible for criminal offences, but expressing unconditional opposition to the death penalty, in Adib Mohamed Ali al-Magtari’s and all other cases ;
reminding the authorities that they are bound by international standards for fair trial in capital cases, and must provide condemned prisoners with the opportunity to seek pardon or commutation of their sentences ;
urging the President to commute all outstanding death sentences and establish a moratorium on executions, with a view to completely abolishing the death penalty.
APPEALS TO :
President His Excellency General ¥Ali ¥Abdullah Saleh President of the Republic of Yemen Sana’a Republic of Yemen Fax : + 967 127 4147 Salutation : Your Excellency
Minister of Justice Dr Ghazi Shaif Al-Aghbari Ministry of Justice Sana’a Republic of Yemen Fax : +967 1 222 015 Salutation : Your Excellency
Minister of Interior His Excellency Dr Rashid Muhammad al-Alimi Ministry of Interior Sana’a Republic of Yemen Fax : + 967 1 332 511 Salutation : Your Excellency
Minister of Human Rights Her Excellency Houda ’Ali ’Abdullatif al- Baan Ministry for Human Rights Sana’a, Republic of Yemen Faxes : + 967 1 444 838 Salutation : Your Excellency
Ambassade de la République du Yémen Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 114 1050 Bruxelles Fax : 02.646.29.11
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 12 October 2007.
