EXTERNALAI Index: AMR 35/08/96

6 June 1996

Further information on EXTRA 20/96 (AMR 35/03/96, 9 February 1996) and follow-up (AMR 35/04/96, 12 February and AMR 35/07/96, 25 March) - Death Penalty

GUYANARockliffe Ross

Amnesty International has learned, with very deep regret, that Rockliffe Ross was executed on 4 June, despite the fact that he had an application pending before the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee. Before Rockliffe Ross was hanged a communication from the UN Human Rights Centre in Geneva had reportedly been transmitted to Guyana, under Rule 86 of the Committee's Rules of Procedure, requesting the Government of Guyana not to carry out the death sentence while the application was under examination by the Committee.

In 1993 the Government of Guyana acceded to the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, giving individuals in Guyana the right to submit applications to the Human Rights Committee.

This is the second execution to have taken place this year in Guyana since hangings were resumed, after a break of more than five years, with the execution of Ayube Khan on 12 February.

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

- expressing deep regret at the execution of Rockliffe Ross;

- expressing serious concern that the execution went ahead despite a pending application to the UN Human Rights Committee, the right to which was guaranteed to citizens of Guyana when the Government acceded to the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1993;

- stressing that the Government of Guyana, by failing to respect its obligations under this treaty, has seriously undermined its reputation in the area of human rights protection both regionally and internationally;

- urging that steps be taken to ensure Guyana will respect its obligations under international law with regard to other cases currently before the Human Rights Committee and in the future;

- urging that no further executions be carried out and that all death sentences be commuted;

if possible, also:

- making some or all of the following general points about the death penalty: the death penalty has never been shown to deter crime more effectively than other punishment; it has a brutalizing effect upon all those who are involved in the process; execution is irrevocable and, despite the most stringent judicial safeguards, can be inflicted on the innocent.

APPEALS TO:

H.E. Dr Cheddi D. Jagan

Executive President

Office of the President

New Garden Street

Georgetown, Guyana

Telegrams: Executive President, Georgetown, Guyana

Faxes: +592 2 69969 (if this number does not work, send faxes via the Head of the Presidential Secretariat at: +592 2 63395, marked for the attention of: H.E. Dr Cheddi D. Jagan, Executive President)

Salutation: Your Excellency

Bernard C. De Santos

Attorney General and

Minister of Legal Affairs

Carmichael Street

Georgetown, Guyana

Telegrams: Attorney General, Georgetown, Guyana

Faxes: +592 2 50732

Salutation: The Honourable Bernard De Santos

COPIES TO:

Clement Rohee

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Office of the President

New Garden And South Streets

Georgetown, Guyana

Faxes: +592 2 59192

Guyana Chronicle

Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park

Georgetown, Guyana

Faxes: +592 2 75208

The Stabroek News

46-47 Robb Street

Lacytown

Georgetown, Guyana

Faxes: +592 2 54637

and to diplomatic representatives of Guyana accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.