St Lucia: death penalty: Stephen Mongroo
Stephen Mongroo is scheduled to be executed in St Lucia on 27 April 1995. He was reportedly sentenced to death for murder in March 1994.
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AMR 56/01/95
Distr: UA/SC
EXTRA 45/95 Death Penalty 25 April 1995
St LUCIA Stephen MONGROO
Stephen Mongroo is scheduled to be executed in St Lucia on 27 April 1995.
According to information received, Stephen Mongroo was sentenced to death for
murder in March 1994, and his appeals were rejected in late 1994.
Amnesty International understands that Stephen Mongroo has not yet appealed
to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, the final court of
appeal for many Commonwealth countries, including St Lucia, and is trying to
ascertain whether his lawyers are attempting to lodge such an appeal, in which
case a stay may be granted. However, in view of the urgency of the situation,
we are asking for immediate appeals.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
There have been no executions in St Lucia since April 1986; there are
estimated to be about six people under sentence of death.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please telephone or send telegrams/telexes/faxes in English
if possible:
- expressing deep concern that Stephen Mongroo is scheduled to be executed
on 27 April 1995;
- urging that Stephen Mongroo's death sentence be commuted;
- expressing deep concern at this attempt to resume the use of the death penalty
in St Lucia after nine years without executions;
- calling on the authorities not to take such a retrograde step, especially
at a time when more countries worldwide are moving towards the abolition of
the death penalty;
- expressing sympathy for the victims of violent crime and their relatives;
- noting that detailed research in many countries has produced no evidence
that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than any other punishment.
APPEALS TO
Committee for the Prerogative of Mercy
c/o Office of the Prime Minister
Government Building
Laborie Street
Castries
St Lucia
Telegrams: Committee for Prerogative of Mercy, Office of Prime Minister,
Castries, St Lucia
Faxes: +1 809 453 7352
Telexes: 6243
Telephone: +1 809 452 3980
Salutation: Dear Committee Members
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
The Right Honourable John G M Compton
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Government Building
2
Laborie Street
Castries
Faxes: +1 809 453 7352
Lorraine Williams
Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Government Building
Labories Street
Castries
Faxes: +1 809 453 6315
Sir Stanislaus A James
Governor General
Government House
The Morne
Castries
St Lucia
Faxes: +1 809 453 2731
and to diplomatic representatives of St Lucia accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.