وثيقة - OMAN. EXÉCUTION IMMINENTE.

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 20/001/2004

11 November 2004

UA 308/04 Imminent Execution

OMAN Rebecca Thompson (f), aged 44, US citizen

On 9 November, the Supreme Court in Oman upheld the death sentence against US national Rebecca Thompson. Her sentence, which is now at the final stage of the appeal process, is expected to be referred to the Sultan of Oman. The Sultan has the power either to confirm or commute the sentence - if confirmed, she would be at risk of imminent execution.

Rebecca Thompson was arrested at the beginning of 2004 in connection with the murder of her husband, Mark Lee Thompson. She had reportedly alleged that Mark Lee Thompson had repeatedly acted violently towards her.

She was sentenced to death on 8 May by the Lower Court in Oman. Three others were sentenced in connection with the murder: two Omani nationals, both aged 17, who were each sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment; and her 14-year-old son, who received a three-year prison term, later suspended because of his age. He has since been deported to the US. All four sentences were upheld by the Appeal Court on 17 July.

Rebecca Thompson is being held in a prison a short distance outside the capital Muscat.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty unreservedly in all cases. While the organization recognizes the need to address serious crime all over the world, including murder, it is convinced that the death penalty will not provide a solution. There is no clear evidence that the death penalty acts as a more effective deterrent against crime than other forms of punishment.

Death sentences in Oman are usually carried out by firing squad. Amnesty International is unaware of any executions being carried out in Oman since 2001, or of any women ever having been executed in Oman.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:

- expressing concern that Rebecca Thompson may be at risk of imminent execution, and calling for the commutation of the death sentence against her;

- urging all death sentences in Oman to be commuted, as they constitute the violation of one of the most fundamental of human rights – the right to life.