MIRZA HUSSAIN GETS TWO MONTH DELAY OF EXECUTION
(19 October 2006)

Mirza Tahir Hussain, a British national who has been sentenced to death in Pakistan, was given a last minute stay of execution following the intervention of Prince Charles. The stay of execution expired on Sunday 1 October and is now scheduled for 1 November. He was sentenced to death for the murder of Jamshid Khan. Mirza Tahir Hussain's stay of execution, like previous stays granted by the authorities, is in order to allow his family more time to seek a pardon from and to offer monetary compensation to the family of Jamshid Khan. However, members of Jamshid Khan's family have publicly called on the President not to commute the death sentence, insisting that Mirza Tahir Hussain should be hanged.

BLOOD MONEY

Under Islamic provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code relating to murder, family members of a murder victim have the right to the death sentence of the perpetrator but may also waive the punishment and accept blood money in which case the murderer goes free without any punishment. This provision has in some instance benefited perpetrators from prosperous families whereas persons convicted of murder from poor backgrounds unable to provide monetary compensation, were hanged.

ABOUT THE SENTENCE

Mirza Tahir Hussain was tried and convicted of murdering taxi driver Jamshid Khan while travelling to the village of Bhubar from Rawalpindi on 17 December 1988. The taxi driver reportedly stopped the car, produced a gun and attempted to physically and sexually assault Mirza Tahir Hussain who was 18 years old at the time. In the scuffle that followed, the gun went off, and the taxi driver was fatally injured.

The execution of Mirza Tahir Hussain, scheduled for 3 August, was postponed on the direction of President Pervez Musharraf. The execution date now has now been set as 1 November.

Commenting on the decision by the Pakistani authorities,Sajjad Karim MEP (Lib Dem), who himself travelled to Pakistan in May in an attempt to save Hussain from the death penalty, said: "Two months is a first step but this isn't simply a public relations exercise, this is a man's life. Month after month Mirza Tahir Hussain prepares himself for death, only to be saved at the last moment. This is cruel and inhuman treatment in itself; it is no way for a human being to live."

"The President has the power under the constitution to grant a pardon to Mirza Tahir Hussain and there is a precedent for him to do so. Now, we must ask for nothing less than getting this lad back home to Leeds.

"When President Musharraf came to Brussels he heard the collective voice of the European Parliament, led by our President, Josep Fontelles Borrell. He was told that the carrying out of this execution would cast a shadow over the reputation of Pakistan within the EU, as it would represent a rare combination of excessive cruelty and profound injustice.

"Commissioner Ferrero Waldner has echoed that message and added her voice to the campaign to save Mirza Tahir Hussain. A group of European Parliamentarians have also lobbied High Representative, Javier Solana, to take up the baton so the European Institutions can all work in unison to secure his release."

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Amnesty, who have been supporting the campaign to have the death sentence removed, suggest that you write or meet with your local MP on the case highlighting the issues outlined and request a response on the points raised. Ask in particular that the Foreign Secretary make representations to the Pakistan authorities as a matter of urgency and where appropriate by Prime Minister Blair.

Noting that after repeated stays the execution date has been set for 1 November, request that the UK government intervene promptly and directly to request that the Pakistan authorities remove the death sentence. Noting concerns relating to the fairness of the trial, sentencing and re-conviction of Mr Hussain, request that all representations are made without delay being mindful that that Mr Hussain has been imprisoned for 18 years.

You can sign the Amnesty petition to save Mirza Hussain, click here.

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