PRESS STATEMENT ON THE RECENT EXECUTION IN BOTSWANA , 7 APRIL 2006

THE HANGING OF MR MODISANE PING

DITSHWANELO - The Botswana Centre for Human Rights strongly condemns the execution of Mr Modisane Ping on Saturday 1 April 2006 . There was no notification of the impending execution. The actual execution was conducted in secrecy. Mr. Ping’s family did not have any access to him immediately prior to the execution. Mr. Ping’s family did not have access to his body and the family members were not afforded an opportunity to ensure that Mr. Ping received a decent burial. Further, the family does not have the opportunity to visit Mr. Ping’s grave. The result of executing people in secret in Botswana is to punish their relatives, who were not responsible for the crime. We believe that a lack of transparency of procedures is a serious threat to democracy and good governance.

Mr. Ping’s mother was not officially informed of his execution. Instead, the family learnt of the execution from the radio after it had occurred. Mrs. Ping had tried to visit her son on Friday 31 March 2006 , but was advised to return on Monday as the Prison was engaged in internal matters. This was despite the fact that the Prison officials were aware that Mr. Ping was due to be hanged on Saturday morning 1 April 2006 . Similar untruths have been told in other cases, for example, that of Mr Lehlohonolo Kobedi. The prison authorities behave in an unnecessarily cruel manner towards family members when carrying out death sentences.

DITSHWANELO remains concerned that the State has again blatantly disregarded appeals for a moratorium or abolition of the death penalty in Botswana . DITSHWANELO calls upon the Government of Botswana to abolish the death penalty in accordance with internationally agreed human rights standards that prohibit all forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The rationale for using the death penalty is that it will act as a deterrent, however, in spite of the many executions that have taken place in Botswana , there is no indication of a decline in the crime of murder. If anything, according to media reports the number of reported murders is increasing. Serious attention should be paid to the underlying causes of crime and solutions found.

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

7 April 2006

Gaborone