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Last Updated : 2024-04-23 12:32:00
11 July 2018 06:55 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka must pull back from any plans to implement the death penalty and preserve its longstanding positive record on shunning this cruel and irreversible punishment, Amnesty International said today.
It said President Maithripala Srisena was reportedly pressing ahead with plans to execute 19 death row prisoners convicted of drug-related offences.
“By resuming executions after more than 40 years, Sri Lanka will do immense damage to its reputation. The government must immediately halt plans to carry out any executions, commute all death sentences, and establish an official moratorium on the implementation of the death penalty as a first step towards its full abolition,” Amnesty International South Asian Deputy Director Dinushika Dissanayake said.
“Sri Lanka has been a leader in the region, with an enviable record of shunning this cruel and irreversible punishment at a time when many other countries persisted with it. Now, when most of the world has turned its back on the death penalty, it risks heading in the wrong direction and joining a shrinking minority of states that persist with this horrific practice.”
“Amnesty International is absolutely opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances, regardless of the crime or the method of execution.”
“Executing people for drug-related crimes is a violation of international law – which says the death penalty can only be imposed in countries that are yet to abolish it for the “most serious crimes”,
meaning intentional killing– and would brazenly defy Sri Lanka's international commitments, including its repeated votes in favour of a moratorium on the implementation of the death penalty at the UN General Assembly, including most recently in 2016.”
“Sri Lanka carried out its last execution in 1976.There is no evidence that the death penalty has a unique deterrent effect against crime. Executions are never the solution and, for drug-related offences, constitute a violation of international law. Sri Lanka should choose a more humane and just path,” Mr. Dissanayake said.
As of today, 142 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. In the Asia-Pacific region, 19 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes and a further seven are abolitionist in practice.
In 2017, as recorded by Amnesty International, executions were carried out in an isolated minority of countries (23), and only 11 of these – or 6% of the world's total –carried out executions every year in the past five years.
Jaliya Wednesday, 11 July 2018 07:45 PM
While I have my total respect towards an international ORG, Do not agree with their viewpoint on the subject. SLK has become a very dangerous place to live .. many of the people today are taking drugs not as a habit but to escape the sad reality. It is understandable that AI is attempting to find a humane solution ….. rather looking at the problem in a realistic way. If there is no serious punishment, the drug menace cannot be effectively controlled. I realize that many drug peddlers are not the users or suppliers they are just innocent poor individuals who are employed by the trade. If we legalize the capital punishment and take away the life of a person who is NOT the trader nor the user … will that stop the threat of drugs ?
Dude Wednesday, 11 July 2018 07:56 PM
Sorry, AI. Sri Lanka is a land like no other. Even the criminals / drug dealers are very different to the rest of the world. With the death penalty for drug dealers, this is a very good opportunity for us to get rid of some of our politicians from our parliament as we have far too many scrounging off the masses and involved in drug dealing. Long term plan, this is excellent for the country.
Zub Wednesday, 11 July 2018 08:11 PM
Immense damage has been done to our younger generation by this drug menace and AI has not done anything in this regard. Hence AI pl shut up and mind your business and allow us to deal with our own issues. As a nation we do not like to kill people but death penalty is the only was to combat drugs. A few executions will help to curb this menace
Haramanis Wednesday, 11 July 2018 08:23 PM
These NGO's who appoint themselves to tell us what is right or wrong are completely Unaccountable for the damage they do - we should tell AI to and whoever else to get stuffed.
Saradiel Wednesday, 11 July 2018 08:29 PM
AI is talking about the damage to the reputation of the country. How about the damage these drug traffickers doing to the people and also the country? Please go ahead with the death penalty.
mnsmart Wednesday, 11 July 2018 08:33 PM
AI brokering to drug dealers?
Sanje Thursday, 12 July 2018 08:54 AM
Surely. these jokers are surviving on Drug dealers funds. SL Govt ha to have a backbone to stand on justice. Its now or never..
safeekji Thursday, 12 July 2018 08:40 AM
Amnesty international wants millions of Sri Lankan youths's life to be devastated
Thomas Thursday, 12 July 2018 08:46 AM
For Rape and Premeditated murder, Death by hanging or be shot be implemented to protect law abiding citizens
Perera Thursday, 12 July 2018 08:52 AM
There are many other things for AI to worry about.Please do not interfere with the President's decision of the death penalty on drug dealers.In fact he should have added a few more like rape, child abuse and moreover swindling of public funds by politicians for their own gain.If SL needs to develop such rules and regulations are a must.
yahiya Thursday, 12 July 2018 09:13 AM
Capital punishment will reduce the crime rate. Drugs are freely available in the cities More than 50% underworlds gaining through the drugs.
asela Thursday, 12 July 2018 10:20 AM
Please please do not give way to these rogues and save this country specially the youth and the younger generation. These organizations are not bothered about us but they want to fill their pockets with dollars. Who is now responsible for the present plight of this country ? Mr President your name will go down in the history as the only head of state who tried the level best in saving SL from a killer and the most dangerous menace. Now you have commenced the good work please do not look back. If we start listening to all these third grade organizations the rulers will look like prostitutes.
Mage ammo Thursday, 12 July 2018 10:34 AM
May be amnesty International members in the drug trade.
Waco Thursday, 12 July 2018 11:09 AM
Hey, every one 11 hour request, please pressurise My:3, to appoint Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka as the Mnister Incharge of Law and Order. He will solve most of the problems. Then we do not want Death Prnalty or Tri-Forces to do police duties.
Rasheed Thursday, 12 July 2018 11:21 AM
Why Amnesty Int'l worried about Sri Lanka, even Us and India have death penalty.
Nilame Thursday, 12 July 2018 11:28 AM
If not the execution, what else would do for these criminals doing immense damage to the youth those are lifeblood of the nation.would there be any option to overcome from the drug mafia?
Be Fair Thursday, 12 July 2018 03:40 PM
Seems AI is on the Drug Barons paylist. Very sad on your part. This is the Western Duplicity.
Jalina Friday, 13 July 2018 05:11 AM
This is the time our president has has to prove he has a back bone xxxxx.
Nihal Friday, 13 July 2018 09:10 AM
No need to recruit hangmen. Block all phone signals at all prison premises like at ID card office. Send the offenders into solitary confinement and after sometime offenders themselves will do the hangman's job for themselves. Easy.
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