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Arkansas Supreme Court Decision Allows New DNA Testing in Case of the ​“West Memphis Three,” Convicted of Killing Three Children in 1993

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On April 18, 2024, the Arkansas Supreme Court decided 4-3 to reverse a 2022 lower court decision and allow genetic testing of crime scene evidence from the 1993 killing of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis. The three men convicted in 1994 for the killings were released in 2011 after taking an Alford plea, in which they maintained their innocence but plead guilty to the crime, in exchange for 18 years’ time served and 10 years of a suspended sentence. 

Pakistan: Petition for abolition of death penalty admissible: SC

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Chairman of Watan Party barrister Zafarrullah has filed a petition in Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday, which stated that the law of execution should be abolished in Pakistan.

The registrar of Supreme Court had objected to the petition earlier. However, today Justice Jawad S. Khawaja, during the hearing of petition in his Chamber rejected the objections by registrar office and ordered for the further hearing of petition.

The process of law requires that any person tried for a crime should have the right to full legal defense. The death penalty continues to be recognized as a form of punishment in Pakistan's judicial system. The hearing of removal of execution law can only be treated through constitutional petition.

During 2007, the UN General Assembly suggested governments who didn't abolish death penalty should suspend their execution process.

Source: Dunya News, October 20, 2014


EU Disappointed By Pakistan Court's Decision To Uphold Blasphemy Death Sentence

The European Union has expressed sadness and concerns over the recent decision of a Pakistani court to uphold the death sentence handed down to a Christian woman convicted on blasphemy charges.

On Thursday, The Lahore High Court had rejected the appeal against the death sentence handed to Asia Bibi in 2010 for making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad during an argument with a Muslim woman.

Soon after the court made its ruling, Asia Bibi's lawyer indicated that he will soon file an appeal with the Supreme Court.

"The EU considers the death penalty a cruel and inhumane punishment. We hope that the verdict will be appealed to the Supreme Court and struck down swiftly," the 28-member bloc said in a statement.

"We call on Pakistan to ensure for all its citizens full respect of human rights as guaranteed by international conventions to which it is party," the statement added.

Source: RTT news, October 20, 2014
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