MDE 31/015/2007 - 23 August 2007
Marwan Abdul Raqib An’am is reported to be facing imminent execution, possibly as early as Monday 27 August. He was sentenced to death for a murder committed at least five years ago, and has been detained in Ta’iz prison since then. He has exhausted all his appeals. The president can choose not to ratify the execution order.
At least 55 others are also said to be facing imminent execution at Ta’iz prison after exhausting all the appeal procedures.
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 recognizably 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 authorities not to execute Marwan Abdul Raqib An’am ;
urging the President to commute Marwan Abdul Raqib An’am ’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 ;
reminding the authorities that they are bound by international standards for fair trial in capital cases, including the right to seek pardon or commutation of the sentence ;
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 4 October 2007.
