EXTERNALAI Index: MDE 11/20/95

8 December 1995

Further information on UA 162/95 (MDE 11/13/95, 6 July 1995) - Death penalty / Legal concern

BAHRAIN'Issa Ahmad Hassan Qambar

On 27 November 1995, an appeals court in Bahrain upheld the death sentence against 'Issa Ahmad Hassan Qambar. He has the right to further appeal by cassation, which must be lodged by 28 December. If his sentence is again upheld, it will pass to the Amir, Shaikh 'Issa bin Salman Al Khalifa, for ratification. The Shaikh also has the power of commutation or pardon.

'Issa Ahmad Hassan Qambar was sentenced to death by the Bahraini High Criminal Court on 4 July 1995 after being convicted of the murder of a police sergeant in Nuwaidrat on 22 March 1995.

Amnesty International remains concerned that 'Issa Ahmad Hassan Qambar's trial did not comply with the 1984 United Nations Safeguards guaranteeing the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty (paragraph 5), including the right of anyone suspected of, or charged with, a crime for which capital punishment may be imposed to "adequate legal assistance at all stages of the proceedings". In addition, there are fears that the conviction may have been made based on a confession extracted under torture.

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

- expressing regret that the death sentence passed on 'Issa Ahmad Hassan Qambar has been upheld and urging that it be commuted if again upheld after cassation;

- expressing concern that the death sentence was passed after proceedings which did not comply with the 1984 United Nations Safeguards, as stated above, and that 'Issa Ahmad Hassan Qambar's conviction may have been based on a confession extracted under torture;

- reiterating Amnesty International's opposition to the death penalty, emphasising that its campaign to abolish it worldwide is based on the right to life enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and pointing out that there is no evidence that the death penalty is an effective deterrent to crime.

APPEALS TO:

His Highness

Shaikh 'Issa Bin Salman Al Khalifa

Office of His Highness the Amir

PO Box 555

The Amiri Court

Rifa'a Palace, Bahrain

Telexes:8666 Qasar BN; 8500 Qasar BN

Telegrams:His Highness the Amir, al-Manama, Bahrain

Faxes:+973 668884

Salutation: Your Highness

His Excellency

Shaikh Muhammad Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa

Minister of Interior

PO Box 13, al-Manama, Bahrain

Telexes:9572 PSMKT BN or 7889 PMPO BN

Telegrams:Minister of Interior, al-Manama, Bahrain

Faxes:+973 276765 or 2905526

Saluation:Your Excellency

His Excellency

Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa

Prime Minister

PO Box 1000, al-Manama, Bahrain

Telexes:9336 PROM BN or 7889 PMPO BN

Telgrams: Prime Minister, al-Manama, Bahrain

Salutaton: Your Excellency

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Bahrain accredited to your country

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 January 1996.