Amnesty International condemns Al Laplace’s hanging
Calls it "shameless act"
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE human rights activist group, Amnesty International, has voiced its disapproval of the latest hanging to have taken place in the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
On December 19, 2008, Charles Elroy Laplace, alias Al Laplace, was hanged within the walls of Her Majesty’s Prison and his remains buried therein by order of the court as punishment for the murder of his wife of 10 years, Diana Laplace.
A release issued by Amnesty International states that the organisation strongly objects to the hanging and describes it as a “shameless act”.
“Amnesty International considers the execution of Charles Elroy Laplace carried out in St. Kitts and Nevis on Friday 19th December as a shameless human rights development for the country after 10 years of moratorium.
“The world is turning away from the use of death penalty. Before last Friday’s execution, since 2003, the United States has been the only country in the Americas to carry out executions, even in the USA there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of executions in recent years. One hundred and thirty seven countries have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice and only 24 nations carried out executions in 2007. Huge swathes of the world are now free from executions.” ~~Adz:Right~~
The organisation claims to comprehend “concerns about the upsurge of crime and murders in the country” but maintains that the death penalty “as well as constituting cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment” are ineffective in the fight against crime.
“Given the unlikelihood of ever being brought before the courts, it is quite implausible that before committing a crime a criminal would consider the risk of being hung and would refrain from wrong-doing. The death penalty also runs the risk of irrevocable error.”
Amnesty International has suggested that a more proactive approach be adopted and focus be placed on preventing acts of criminality through the strengthening of the security forces, coupled with a fully functional justice system.
“Protection of citizens does not come from executing criminals but from preventing them from committing crimes. Amnesty International therefore believes that the true solution to the deteriorating crime situation lies with the strengthening of police capacities. The proper functioning of the justice system is also crucial to ensure compensation to victims but such compensation cannot come from claiming the life of the wrong-doer.”
The appeal made by Amnesty was for the powers that be in the Federation to “send a strong message to the world and to the other Caribbean countries by stopping the executions”. The organisation also suggested that the sentences of the other individuals at Her Majesty’s Prison who have been sentenced to death be commuted.
Amnesty International is a movement of ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights. Their purpose is to protect individuals wherever justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied.
