First executions in four years -- a step backwards for human rights

"There is no convincing evidence that the death penalty deters crimes such as drug-trafficking more effectively than other punishments," AmnestyInternational said. "The Malaysian authorities must take a long hard lookat their use of death penalty and impose a moratorium on furtherexecutions."

There is little or no public debate about the use of the death penaltyin Malaysia. According to the authorities, yesterday's executions are thefirst since 1996. A total of 349 people were hanged between 1970 and 1996.

The two men executed were reported to have been sentenced to death in1988. One man was convicted of trafficking in 132 grams of heroin, theother of trafficking in 123 grams of the drug. Under Malaysian law, anyonefound in possession of more than 15 grams of heroin is presumed, unless thecontrary can be proven, to be trafficking in the drug and faces a mandatorydeath sentence.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases, howeverheinous the crime for which it is imposed, as a violation of the right tolife. The death penalty is an inherently unjust and arbitrary punishment;studies have shown it is more likely to be imposed on those who are poorerand less educated. The risk of error in applying the death penalty isinescapable, yet it is irrevocable.