EXTERNALAI Index: MDE 25/06/97

UA 213/97Death Penalty15 July 1997

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATESDananjayan Rajankshan

Mulan Kanomal Dayo Anandan

Syam Sunder Saleesha Aamin

On 5 July 1997 the Court of Cassation in Dubai rejected the appeal against the death sentences passed against three Indian nationals, Dananjayan Rajankshan, Mulan Kanomal Dayo Anandan and Syam Sunder Saleesha Aamin who were convicted of murder. Their sole chance of escaping execution now rests with the possibility of a pardon from the Crown Prince and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum.

The three men were first sentenced to death by the Court of First Instance, Dubai, on 30 December 1996. This was confirmed by the Court of Appeal, Dubai, on 18 April 1997. This is despite the fact that reports had been received stating that blood money was paid to the families of the deceased who subsequently waived the punishment against the three accused.

Amnesty International recognizes the rights and responsibilities of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences but is unconditionally opposed to the death sentence in all cases as the ultimate violation of the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters in English, French, Arabic or your own language:

- expressing concern at the death sentence against Dananjayan Rajankshan, Mulan Kanomal Dayo Anandan and Syam Sunder Saleesha Aamin and urging that the president of Dubai commute their death sentences";

- pointing out that there is no reliable evidence to show that the death penalty deters serious crimes;

- urging that all other death sentences in Dubai be commuted.

APPEALS TO:

Crown Prince

His Highness

Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai

PO Box 899, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Telexes: 23245

Telegrams: Crown Prince, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Salutation: Your Highness

Minister of Interior

His Excellency

General Dr Mohammad Saeed al-Badi

Ministry of the Interior

PO Box 398

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Telegrams: Interior Minister, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Faxes: +9712 415 688

Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:

President of the United Arab Emirates

His Highness

al-Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan

Ruler of Abu Dhabi

Manhal Palace

PO Box 280, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

and to diplomatic representatives of Dubai, United Arab Emirates accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 26 August 1997