PUBLICAI Index: MDE 16/18/98

UA 308/98 Death Penalty11 December 1998

JORDANSa’id al-Qashash, aged 19

On 30 November 1998 Sa’id al-Qashash was sentenced to death by the Amman Criminal Court for the murder of a school friend and 11 relatives. An appeal is now due before the Court of Cassation, an appeal court which only considers procedural matters.

If the Court of Cassation upholds the death penalty it will go to the Crown Prince Hassan bin Talal for ratification.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Amnesty International recognizes the horror that must be felt at such multiple killings, but opposes the death penalty in all cases as the ultimate form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Capital punishment has never been shown to have a deterrent effect and the sentence is irrevocable.

Eight persons have already been executed in Jordan this year, including two sisters at the beginning of December. Last year, at least 11 death sentences were carried out.

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

- expressing sympathy for the victims of violent crimes and their families and acknowledging the role of governments in bringing the perpetrators of such crimes to justice, but expressing to the Jordanian authorities unconditional opposition to the death penalty, which has never been shown to have a unique deterrent effect and which is brutalizing to all involved in its application;

- urging His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hassan bin Talal to commute the sentence of death on Sa’id al-Qashash and on all other persons sentenced to death;

- urging that no more executions be carried out in Jordan and requesting that the government work towards abolishing the death penalty in the present year of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

APPEALS TO:

His Royal Highness

Crown Prince Hassan bin Talal

Office of H.M. the King

Royal Palace

Amman

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Telegrams:Crown Prince Hussan, Amman, Jordan

Faxes:+ 962 6 463 4755

Salutation: Your Royal Highness

Dr Fayez Tarawneh

Prime Minister and Minister of Defence

Office of the Prime Minister

P.O.Box 1577

Amman

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Telegrams:Prime Minister, Amman, Jordan

Faxes:+ 962 6 464 2520 Salutation: Your Excellency

Jawdat Sboul

Minister of Justice

Ministry of Justice

P.O. Box 6040

Amman

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Telegrams:Justice Minister, Amman, Jordan

Faxes: + 962 6 462 9949

Salutation:Your Excellency

Nayef al-Kadi

Minister of Interior

Ministry of Interior

P.O. Box 100

Amman

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Telegrams:Interior Minister, Amman, Jordan

Faxes:+ 962 6 560 6908

Salutation:Your Excellency

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

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 22 January 1999.

"Everyone has the right to life"

Article 3, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Visit the Amnesty International UDHR campaign website on http://www.amnesty.excite.com