EXECUTION OF MARIETTE SONJALEEN BOSCH

DITSHWANELO - The Botswana Centre for Human Rights strongly condemns the execution of Mariette Sonjaleen Bosch on Saturday 31 March 2001. Reports of the execution come as a shock since there was no notification of it. Of concern is the fact that it was conducted in secrecy. Lack of transparency of procedures is a serious threat to democracy and good governance.

The family of Ms Bosch were only officially informed of her execution a day after it. Her lawyer was not notified of the date of the execution. During the past week, DITSHWANELO tried several times to gain access to see Ms Bosch - the most recent attempt was on Friday 30 March 2001. However, such access was denied, even though Ms Bosch had personally expressed a desire to see us. On Friday 30 March 2001, we were told that an official search of the prison had been ongoing since the morning. Consequently we were not be allowed onto the prison premises.

On Monday 26 March 2001, The President of Botswana, Festus Mogae was informed by the lawyer of Ms Bosch that there were efforts underway to seek post-judicial redress on Ms Bosch's behalf. Her attorney on record was however not informed of the date of the execution. 

DITSHWANELO is concerned that the State has blatantly ignored appeals for the abolition of the death penalty in Botswana. DITSHWANELO believes that any punishment for a crime committed has to be reasonable and justifiable within a Human Rights context. In a liberal democracy, such as Botswana, which is based on freedom and equality, the death penalty is neither reasonable nor justifiable. There is no evidence which supports the argument that the death penalty is an effective deterrent.

DITSHWANELO will continue with its campaign to abolish the death penalty in Botswana.

2 April 2001
Gaborone