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Amnesty International - India, Death Penalty
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UA 169/92 Death Penalty 21 May 1992
INDIA: Laxman Nayak
Amnesty International is concerned that Laxman Nayak faces imminent
execution after the Orissa High Court recently upheld his death sentence.
Laxman Nayak was convicted of murdering his seven-year-old niece, and was
sentenced by the Barpada sessions judge on 30 March 1992. It is unknown
whether further appeals or mercy petitions have been made beyond the High
Court.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Indian Constitution protects the right to life. Yet on average over a
dozen executions are carried out in India every year for criminal offences.
Most of those executed are poor and illiterate.
The death penalty is usually carried out by hanging. An attempt to
challenge this method of execution failed before the Supreme Court, which
stated in a 1983 judgement that hanging did not involve torture, barbarity,
humiliation or degradation.
There have been reports in the press that the government is considering
extending the death penalty to persons convicted of kidnapping.
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases as a violation
of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or
degrading punishment, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/airmail letters:
- urging that the death sentence of Laxman Nayak be commuted to life
imprisonment;
- explaining Amnesty International's unconditional opposition to the death
penalty;
- pointing out that the death penalty has never been shown to have a
special deterrent effect;
- urging that no further executions be carried out in India.
APPEALS TO [Salutation]
Jagya Datta Sharma
Governor of Orissa
Raj Bhavan
Bhubaneswar
Orissa, India (Telegrams: Governor Sharma, Orissa, India)
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
The President Ambassador Abid Hussain
High Court Bar Association Embassy of India
High Court Building 2107 Massachusetts Ave NW
Cuttack 2 Washington DC 20008
Orissa, India
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the Colorado office between
9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals after
July 2, 1992.
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