In an effort to clear out death row inmates, Gambian
President Yahya Jammeh announced, in an address Sunday afternoon, that prisons will recommence with the executions
of prisoners on death row. Also stated in his address was that he wanted
the act to be completed by mid- September, of 2012. This same threat had been made in 2009,
however, had not actually taken place. The
last execution this nation witnessed had taken place more than 30 years ago. So far, 9 out of 42 prisoners sentenced to
death were taken from their cells and executed late Thursday night. Of those executed, included a woman. Human rights activist of Gambia see the
executions of these individuals as a “step-back” for their country. The president believes that the executions
should be taken place for those who commit the crimes to “get what they deserve: that is those who kill, will be killed”.
Citizens of Gambia can be sentenced to death for a variety
of crimes from treason to murder. And of
those killed 3 were sentenced to death for treason. In some instances, prisoners receive the
death penalty for possession of such drugs as cocaine and heroin. The article expresses act of prisoners’ human
rights being taken away for their crimes by way of death. In my opinion, the Gambian president is just
trying to make citizens appreciate the law more by making sure they follow
it. If a prisoner is sentenced to a
certain punishment they should expect it to happen. The citizens are likely to take their actions
a little more seriously when they know they could be subject to capital
punishment.
The link to the original article: http://articles.cnn.com/2012-08-24/africa/world_africa_gambia-executions_1_executions-president-yahya-jammeh-death-row
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