MDE 31/009/2011

YEMEN

Five men under sentence of death in Yemen could be executed in the next few days, according to sources in the country. They have exhausted all their appeals, and their death sentences were ratified by the President in 2009.

Yasser Ismail, aged 29, Bashir Ismail, aged 28, ‘Arif Far’i, aged 27, Mubarak Ghalib, aged 25 and Murad Ghalib, aged 26, were sentenced to death in July 2006 for the murder of two men. All five men are related to each other. They are held at the Central Prison in the city of Ta’izz. The Appeal Court in Ta’izz rejected their appeals against their death sentences in March 2008, and the Supreme Court did the same in June 2009. The President ratified their sentences within the same year.

According to information received from sources in Yemen, the five men have been scheduled for execution in the next few days, with one report indicating that they may be executed as soon as 25 June. Amnesty International is unable to confirm the report, but, given that the men exhausted all their appeals in 2009, it is concerned that they may be subjected to capital punishment imminently.

There are hundreds of people under sentence of death in Yemen. In 2010, at least 53 people were executed.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Arabic, English or your own language:

* Urging the authorities not to execute Yasser Ismail, Bashir Ismail, ‘Arif Far’i, Mubarak Ghalib and Murad Ghalib;

* Urging the Vice President, in his position as acting President, to commute their death sentences, and those of all others facing execution;

* Reminding the authorities that they are bound by international standards for fair trial in capital cases, including the right to seek pardon or commutation of the sentence;

* Urging the Vice President, in his position as acting President, to establish a moratorium on executions, with a view to completely abolishing the death penalty.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 AUGUST 2011 TO:

Vice President

His Excellency Abd Rabbu Mansour al-Hadi

Office of The President

Sana’a

Republic of Yemen

Fax: +967 1 274 147 (please keep trying)

Salutation: Your Excellency

Attorney General

His Excellency Ali Ahmed Nasser al-Awash

Attorney General’s Office

Sana’a

Republic of Yemen

Fax: +967 1 374 412

Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to:

Ministry of Human Rights

Sana’a, Republic of Yemen

Fax: +967 1 419 700 (please keep trying)

Email: mshr@y.net.ye

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.

JEMENS AMBASSAD

NASSAULAAN 2A

NL-2514 JS HAAG, NEDERLÄNDERNA

FAX + 31 70-356 33 12

E-post: yemenembassy@planet.nl

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

This is the first update of UA 297/09. Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE31/016/2009

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Amnesty International has long-standing concerns about the use of the death penalty in Yemen, particularly as death sentences are often passed after proceedings which fall short of international standards for fair trial.

In 2009, at least 53 people were sentenced to death and at least 30 people were executed. In 2010, at least 53 people were executed. Hundreds of people are believed to be under sentence of death.

Amnesty International acknowledges the right and responsibility of governments to bring to justice those suspected of recognizably criminal offences, but is unconditionally opposed to the death penalty in all cases as the ultimate cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment, and as a violation of the right to life.