Don’t execute Zulfarhan’s killers, says Suhakam

 

FMT:

Don’t execute Zulfarhan’s

killers, says Suhakam

FMT Reporters

-25 Jul 2024, 04:59 PM

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia says it stands resolutely against capital punishment, which is neither just nor effective.

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The Court of Appeal sentenced navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain’s killers to death on Tuesday. (Wikipedia pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The recent Court of Appeal decision sentencing six former National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) cadets to death for the murder of Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain marks a sad and solemn moment in Malaysia’s judicial history, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said.

“We express our deepest condolences to the family of Zulfarhan, whose tragic death on June 1, 2017 has profoundly affected the nation.

“While we share in the grief and anguish of the family and recognise the severity of the crime, Suhakam stands resolutely against the use of the death penalty.

“It is not a just or effective solution.

The death penalty is a form of punishment that is irreversible and does not allow for the possibility of rehabilitation in the event of judicial error,

 the commission said in a statement today.

Suhakam said many countries have recognised that capital punishment is inhumane and a violation of fundamental human rights.

It said it is essential to emphasise the need for rehabilitation, which can transform offenders into responsible and constructive members of society, which it said addresses the root causes of violent behaviour and helps prevent future occurrences by promoting understanding, empathy and social responsibility among offenders.

“Our commitment to human rights mandates that we advocate the abolition of the death penalty.

We call upon the government to reconsider the use of capital punishment and to continue working towards a justice system that is fair, humane and just for all,

 it said.

Meanwhile, Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) spokesman Charles Hector called the for the sentence to be commuted to a long term of imprisonment.

“Malaysia has committed to a moratorium on executions pending the abolition of the death penalty, since 2018.

“Malaysia voted in favour (of abolition) in the United Nations General Assembly.

These resolutions were supported by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2018, the Perikatan Nasional government in 2020, and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government in 2022,

 Hector said in a statement.

He called on the government to take the next step after abolishing the mandatory death penalty, to full abolition.

On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal sentenced six former UPNM students convicted of murdering navy cadet Zulfarhan seven years ago to death.

Justice Hadhariah Syed Ismail, who chaired the panel, said the death sentence was warranted given the cruelty of the actions of Akmal Zuhairi Azmal, Azamuddin Sofi, Najib Razi, Afif Najmudin Azahat, Shobirin Sabri and Hakeem Ali.

Also on the bench were Justices Zaini Mazlan and Azmi Ariffin.

The court had earlier convicted the six of murdering Zulfarhan at UPNM’s Jebat hostel on May 22, 2017.