PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 31/015/2007

23 August 2007

UA 221/07 Fear of Imminent execution

YEMEN Marwan Abdul Raqib An’am (m), aged 28

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

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Yemen accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 October 2007.

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