PUBLICAI Index: AMR 14/04/98

2 April 1998

Further information on Extra 146/96, AMR 14/10/96, 9 September 1996 and follow-ups (AMR 14/11/96, 12 September 1996; AMR 14/12/96, 9 October 1996; and AMR 14/03/98, 31 March 1998) - Death Penalty

BAHAMASTrevor Nathaniel Fisher

Trevor Nathaniel Fisher, who was scheduled to be hanged today, has received a temporary stay of execution.

After holding a hearing on his constitutional motion and his request for a conservatory order, the constitutional court granted Trevor Fisher a one week conservatory order - in effect a postponement of his execution - on 1 April 1998.

The court will reportedly reconsider the length of the stay of execution when it issues its judgement on Trevor Fisher’s constitutional motion. Among other issues, his motion states that executing him while his application to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is being considered would be a violation of his constitutional rights. The court’s judgement is expected within the next few days.

In his application to the IACHR, Trevor Fisher claims that the Bahamian authorities have failed to guarantee his fundamental rights as set out in the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man. The IACHR has also issued a request for a stay of execution as a precautionary measure.

No further appeals are necessary until further notice. Thank you to all those who have taken action on behalf of Trevor Fisher.