Amnesty International USA Statement on Sentencing John Allen Muhammad to Death

usnewswire.com ^

[chance33_98]

Amnesty International USA Statement on Sentencing John Allen Muhammad to Death

3/9/2004 3:36:00 PM

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To: National Desk

Contact: Edward Jackson of Amnesty International USA, 202-544-0200 ext. 302 or 202-251-3894 (cell)

WASHINGTON, March 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Dr. William F. Schulz, executive director of Amnesty International USA, released the following statement on Circuit Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr.'s decision to uphold the jury's recommendation of death for John Allen Muhammad:

"The death sentence for John Allen Muhammad means that the killing associated with the Washington, D.C. area sniper case will continue. More than half the world's nations already have abandoned the use of the death penalty. The U.S. should demonstrate leadership on this issue by following up on President Bush's commitment to stand firm for the 'non-negotiable demands of human dignity.' The continued use of the death penalty -- which is known to be arbitrary, riddled with error and biased -- is the ultimate denial of human rights and should be abolished."

For more information on the death penalty: http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception as it is the ultimate denial of human rights, and we will continue to demand unconditionally its worldwide abolition.

[Prime Choice]

Amnesty International should focus more on the consistent and long-running abuse of human rights in the Middle East instead of bagging on the U.S. I for one wish they would take a long walk off a short pier.

[Redbob]

"The death sentence for John Allen Muhammad means that the killing associated with the Washington, D.C. area sniper case will continue."

But not for much longer; it'll end Oct. 14!

[Feckless]

MSG 2 AI: FU

[torchthemummy]

What about the ultimate human right violation - innocent babies terminated without any trial or conviction?

[moonman]

"The U.S. should demonstrate leadership on this issue ..."
How? They claimed that half the world already demonstrate the LEADERSHIP!

"The continued use of the death penalty -- which is known to be arbitrary, riddled with error and biased ..." If there was ever a confirmed error, believe me, the media would have made that executed person's name more famous then George Washington. As for bias, proportionly (per a post of the Justice Department stats on this web site a few weeks back I believe), more whites have been executed and/or sentenced to death over last 12 years then Blacks.

[Atchafalaya]

Isn't that where the road pizza aka Rachel Corrie was supposed to be going to school?

[Malsua]

To Amnasty Internal, death is an ok punishment as long as you don't advertise.

Communists don't advertise their death squads, so it's ok.

The U.S.A wastes 10 years on appeals, so the USA is an Evil Sadistic state. The scumbags at AI couldn't exist in most countries on this planet yet decry their own country. Hippocrites at best.

[Choose Ye This Day]

Glen Beck suggested a punishment for Muhammed on his show today. While on Death Row, every day, prison guards would take him to Virginia or Maryland, where he would have to pull an 8-hour shift every day, pumping gas at a service station.

On random days, FBI sharpshooters would use him for target practice. "Today, we wing him on the left shoulder!" He knows he's in constant danger, but he's kept alive for a while, so that every day he wonders if today will be the last, if today is the day when they finally line up the crosshairs between his twisted, soulless eyes and...

[MarkL]

At one time, I actually joined AI... I was really moved by Paul Simon's "Graceland" concert in New York, at Radio City Music Hall. He performed along with Hugh Masakeela, Miriam M'Keeba, Ladysmith Black Mombasso, and all the South African Musicians. It was really a wonderful concert, and a moving experience.

However, while I planed on embarking on a number of letter writing campaigns to "save prisoners of concience," I waited for listings of political prisoners held around the world. I never got a single one... What I did get were letters asking for money, at least 3 times a month. After two months of waiting, I wrote a letter asking for names of people and their "case" information. I was informed that my money would do more to help them than my writing letters.

I let that membership expire.

Mark

[cyborg]

If JM was back in his home country of Jamaica the magistrate would have had him swinging already. This is royal treatment compared to what convicted murders get in the Caribbean.

[MarkL]

I will admit that I do have some problems with the death penalty in a number of cases... It should only be given when there is absolutely no doubt of the guilt of the convicted... Jeffery Dahmer and Ted Bundy come to mind...

However, if there's even the slightest possibility that the convict might not actually be guilty, I'm a strong proponent of "life w/o parole, at hard labor." Basicly, using a sledge hammer to turn big rocks into little rocks, and then little rocks into gravel.

Mark

[cyborg]

I have the same opinion. Somehow I don't think Amnesty International leadership is coming from the same POV.

[breakem]

Dear AmInUSA:

Any one who takes an innocent life and is found guilty of murder does not deserve to continue their own. It makes a mockery of the life of the deceased, is unjust, and therefore is immoral.

Citizen of the USA

[JRandomFreeper]

I don't like the criminal justice system as it currently stands at all. The only thing that I can say in its defense is that the really big capital crimes get the attention they deserve, and the sentences they deserve. ie.. this case. On the other end, if one can afford expensive lawyers and truly is innocent, you might get by.

Too often, the guilty go free, and the innocent plea bargin.

This is OUR system, and the outcome will be judged against us someday. We really need to fix it.

/john

[weegee]

So war combatants shooting civilians, or serial killers striking out because of a religious hatred should be spared the death penalty these days?

I think that Raoul Walenberg and other AI heroes of old would have no problem with death sentences for Nazis.

[ConservativeMan55]

Bump! Maybe they should take advice from my tagline.

[Freedom2specul8]

What in the world is their definition of dignity? this guy is an insane killer...

UGGGH..

[Freedom2specul8]

Sniper ping list..

If anyone wants on or off, let me know..

God bless...

[abner]

Thanks Kim.

For heaven's sake, these people are insane!!!!

[Travis McGee]

So, to you, murdering a dozen innocent citizens in terrorist attacks is no different, qualitatively, from the society arresting, trying and executing the murderer?

Just trying for a little clarity here.