PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 15/002/2005

14 February 2005

Further Information on UA 34/05 (AMR 15/001/2005, 11 February 2005) Imminent Execution

BARBADOS Fredrick Atkins (m), aged 36

Fredrick Atkins, who was scheduled to be executed early in the morning of 14 February, has received a stay of execution from the Barbados High Court.

The High Court ruled that Atkins could not be executed until the Court of Appeal in Barbados resolves the case of Lennox Boyce and Jeffrey Joseph (see UA 268/04, AMR 15/001/2004, 20 September 2004). Boyce and Joseph have, like Atkins, lodged an appeal against their death sentences with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Frederick Atkins was sentenced to death in 2000 for the murder of 20-year-old Sharmaine Hurley. He had been due to become the first person to be executed in Barbados since 1984, even though his appeal has not yet been heard by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Philip Alston, theSpecial Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights dealing with extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, called on the Barbados authorities to halt the execution. He said, "The Government of Barbados has affirmed in the past its commitment to respect the right of those sentenced to death to petition the Commission. It is thus essential to await the outcome of that process".

Many thanks to all who sent appeals. No further appeals are required at present.