News
Urgent action sought to stop execution of 13 in Sri Lanka
11 Apr, 2019
Urgent action has been sought to stop the execution of 13 convicts in Sri Lanka.
Amnesty International made an urgent appeal today to request President Maithripala Sirisena to reconsider his decision to hang 13 prisoners, and commute their sentences.
“Please retain Sri Lanka?s positive death penalty record and establish a moratorium on all executions with a view to abolish the death penalty entirely,” the appeal said.
After 43 years without using the death penalty, President Maithripala Sirisena, is reportedly planning to execute prisoners on death row.
Amnesty says there is completely secrecy around the dates identities of the prisoners who are expected to be imminently executed.
“No information about their case histories has been shared. It is unknown whether the individuals had fair trials, access to lawyers or whether they were able to engage in a meaningful clemency process,”Amnesty said.
The last execution in Sri Lanka was in 1976 and Amnesty International says 2019 cannot be the year that the progress is reversed. (Colombo Gazette)
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