UA 259/92 - Republic of Lithuania: death penalty: male, name unknown
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: EUR 53/01/92
Distr: UA/SC
UA 259/92 Death Penalty 7 August 1992
REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA: Male, name unknown
Amnesty International is concerned that a prisoner currently being held in
Lukiskis prison in Vilnius, the capital of the Republic of Lithuania, may soon
be executed. The organization does not know the prisoner's name. The source
of this information is an article in the Baltic Independent (dated 31 July
- 6 August 1992). According to the article, the man was convicted of the murder
of a young girl while in a drunken stupor. He has been on death row for the
past seven months and is currently awaiting a response to his petition for
clemency. The article continues: "If the death sentence is not overturned,
he faces execution within a week of the final decision. As the laws of Lithuania
are in flux at the moment, no one is quite sure of the means of execution.
Most likely, according to prison officials, it will be done as before: during
a transfer, or while taking a walk, he will be gunned down by surprise". Amnesty
International is not in a position to corroborate the information contained
in the article.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Information on the application of the death penalty has been given to Amnesty
International by the authorities of the Republic of Lithuania. According to
this information, the death penalty is currently retained for one crime only
- premeditated murder under aggravating circumstances.
Five death sentences have been passed since restoration of independence in
March 1990. In four cases the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
It is believed that the fifth case may be the one referred to in this action.
The submission of a petition for clemency is the final stage of the judicial
process for capital offences in the Republic of Lithuania. Clemency may be
granted by the Presidium of the Supreme Council (comprising the Chairman of
the Supreme Council, Deputy Chairmen, the Secretary and other members who are
elected by the Supreme Council) on the recommendation of the Clemency Commission
of the Supreme Council.
A working committee charged with drafting a new criminal code has recently
finished its work. It is unclear what its conclusions are on the death penalty.
However, Amnesty International has been informed by the Lithuanian authorities
that the draft of a new constitution is expected to be approved this month
by the Supreme Council and later submitted to a referendum, and that this draft
"does not provide for capital punishment".
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail
letters:
- appealing for commutation of the death sentence passed on the man in question;
- explaining Amnesty International's opposition to the death penalty in all
circumstances without exception;
- urging the authorities in the Republic of Lithuania to consider the complete
abolition of the death penalty.
Page 2 of UA 259/92
APPEALS TO:
1. The Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania
Vytautas Landsbergis
Chairman of the Supreme Council
Gedimino pr. 53
2026 Vilnius
Republic of Lithuania
Telegrams: Chairman Supreme Council, Vilnius, Lithuania
Telephone: + 7 0122 628 986
Faxes: + 7 0122 614 544
Telex: 261138 LTINF SU
Salutation: Dear Chairman
2. The Chairman of the Clemency Commission of the Supreme Council
of the Republic of Lithuania
Chairman of the Clemency Commission
Supreme Council
Gedimino pr. 53
2026 Vilnius
Republic of Lithuania
Telegrams: Chairman Clemency Commission, Vilnius,
Lithuania
Salutation: Dear Chairman
3. Procurator General of the Republic of Lithuania
Arturas Paulauskas
Procurator General
Smetonos 6
2709 Vilnius
Republic of Lithuania
Telegrams: Procurator General, Vilnius, Lithuania
Telephone: + 7 0122 610 537
Salutation: Dear Procurator General
4. Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania
Vytautas Pakalniskis
Minister of Justice
Gyneju 6
2755 Vilnius
Lithuania
Telegrams: Minister of Justice, Vilnius, Lithuania
Telephone: + 7 0122 626 757
Faxes: + 7 0122 629 910
Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania
Algirdas Saudargas
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Akmenu 6
2600 Vilnius
Republic of Lithuania
and to diplomatic representatives of the Republic of Lithuania accredited to
your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 17 September 1992.