DOCSLIB.ORG

The Death Penalty in Botswana Hasty and Secretive Hangings

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Death Penalty in Botswana Hasty and Secretive Hangings DITSHWANELO - The Botswana Centre for Human Rights THE DEATH PENALTY IN BOTSWANA HASTY AND SECRETIVE HANGINGS International Fact-finding Mission This photo is of one prisoner's grave, dug in the prison graveyard just before his planned execution in 1999. From The Botswana Guardian, 26 February 1999. FIDH acknowledges The Botswana Guardian, for the use of this picture. n° 473/2 - June 2007 THE DEATH PENALTY IN BOTSWANA HASTY AND SECRETIVE HANGINGS This report was produced with the support of the European Commission (European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights - EIDHR) and the Fund for FIDH Missions. The opinions expressed in this document are those of FIDH only and can not be attributed to the European Union. FIDH-DITSHWANELO / P A G E 2 THE DEATH PENALTY IN BOTSWANA HASTY AND SECRETIVE HANGINGS Table of contents Foreword: Why Mobilise against the Death Penalty? . 4 I. Introduction . 7 1.1 Rationale of the mission . 7 1.2 Botswana in a nutshell . 8 1.3 Human rights instruments ratified by Botswana. 10 II. The Judicial System . 12 2.1 The Court System and Procedure. 12 2.1.1 Customary Law Courts . 12 2.1.2 Magistrate Courts . 12 2.1.3 The High Court . 13 2.1.4 The Court of Appeal of Botswana . 13 2.1.5 Courts Martial. 13 2.2 Criminal investigation and prosecution procedures . 14 2.2.1 Investigation. 14 2.2.2 Prosecution . 14 2.3 Pre trial phase and judgement . 14 2.3.1 Persons awaiting trials . 14 2.3.2 Trial phase. 15 III. The death penalty in Botswana . 18 3.1 Some Statistics . 18 3.2 The public opinion in Botswana . 18 3.3. Offences carrying the death penalty. 19 3.4. The trial . 19 3.4.1. Jurisdiction . 19 3.4.2. The right to a fair trial : The pro deo system in question. 20 3.4.3. Extenuating circumstances and mandatory death sentences . 22 3.5 Conditions of detention. 23 3.5.1 Preliminary remarks . 23 3.5.2 The Prisons Act. 23 3.6. Challenging the death penalty in Courts . 25 3.7 Post trial phase: hasty and secret executions. 26 3.7.1 The Clemency Committee: an opaque process. 26 3.7.2 Speedy executions: the issue of transparency . 27 IV. Conclusion and Recommendations. 30 Annexes . 33 1. Persons met by the mission . 33 2. List of persons executed since independence . 34 3. Overcrowding situation from January to October 2005 . 35 FIDH-DITSHWANELO / P A G E 3 THE DEATH PENALTY IN BOTSWANA HASTY AND SECRETIVE HANGINGS Foreword: Why Mobilise against the Death Penalty? FIDH is strongly opposed to the death penalty. FIDH imprisonment. The report of the Illinois Commission on considers it to be contrary to the very notions of human Capital Punishment stressed that: 'no system, given human dignity and liberty. Furthermore, the death penalty has nature and frailties, could ever be devised or constructed that been proved to be entirely ineffective as a deterrent. would work perfectly and guarantee absolutely that no Consequently, neither principles nor utilitarian innocent person is ever again sentenced to death'. considerations can justify the use of capital punishment. When innocent people are executed, "society as a whole - i.e. 1. The death penalty is inconsistent with all of us - in whose name the verdict was reached, becomes notions of human dignity and liberty collectively guilty because its justice system has made the supreme injustice possible" said Robert Badinter, French Human rights and human dignity are universally Minister of Justice, in 1981. For society as a whole, accepting acknowledged as fundamental norms that form the basis of the possibility of condemning innocent people to death is politically organised society. The death penalty directly entirely contrary to the fundamental principles of human contradicts this premise and is based on a misconception of dignity and justice. justice. Justice is based on human rights guarantees: The existence of Justice is based on freedom and dignity: a criminal can and human rights guarantees is the distinctive character of a should be punished only when he or she freely committed an reliable and legitimate judicial system; notably, the right to a act that disrupts the legal order. It is for this reason that fair trial - including, for example, the rejection of evidence minors and insane persons cannot be held responsible for obtained through torture or other inhuman and degrading their actions in a criminal justice system. treatment. From this perspective, FIDH is convinced that the full respect of these human rights and the rejection of legally Because it is irreversible, the death penalty presents a sanctioned violence are at the core of the legitimacy of any contradiction between the premise of its imposition-freedom criminal justice system. Justice, particularly when it concerns and conscience in acting-and the fundamental values of the most serious crimes and the life of the accused is at stake, human dignity and liberty, which make human and social should not rely on chance and fortune. The life of an individual change possible. should not depend on contingent factors such as jury selection, media pressure and the competence of a defence Human freedom is indeed defined as the possibility to attorney. The rejection of inhumane sentences, first and change and transcend a given life situation. In the case of the foremost the death penalty, clearly contributes to the building criminal justice system, this means there must be the of a judicial system based on universally accepted principles, redemptive opportunity for rehabilitation and re-socialisation. in which vengeance has no place and in which the population The irreversibility of the death penalty undermines this as a whole can trust. fundamental notion of freedom.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Environmental Hydrogeology of Lobatse South East District, Republic of Botswana
    Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe Geozentrum Hannover, Germany Environmental Hydrogeology of Lobatse South East District, Republic of Botswana by Katharina Beger, June 2001 Edited by Dr. H. Vogel Table of contents 1. Abstract.............................................................................................................................1 2. Acknowledgements ...........................................................................................................1 3. Introduction ......................................................................................................................2 3.1.1. Project objectives .............................................................................................2 3.1.2. Background......................................................................................................2 4. Geography and geology of the project area .....................................................................4 4.1.1. Geography .......................................................................................................4 4.1.1.1. Location ....................................................................................................5 4.1.1.2. Morphology ...............................................................................................5 4.1.1.3. Climate ......................................................................................................5 4.1.1.4. Settlement, infrastructure and land use .......................................................6
    [Show full text]
  • Nitrates and Salinity CD No Maps
    Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe Nitrate hotspots and salinity levels in groundwater in the Central District of Botswana by Horst Vogel, Kentlafetse Mokokwe, and Thato Setloboko November 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 2 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................ 2 3 GEOGRAPHY OF THE STUD Y AREA ......................................................................... 2 3.1 Mining ..................................................................................................................... 2 3.2 Physiography and geology ...................................................................................... 3 3. 3 Climate .................................................................................................................... 6 3.4 Groundwater and water use .................................................................................... 6 4 GROUNDWATER QUALITY INDICATORS .................................................................7 4.1 Salinity .................................................................................................................... 7 4.1.1 Total dissolved solids (TDS) .................................................................................. 8 4.1.2 Electrical conductivity (EC) ................................................................................... 8 4.1.3
    [Show full text]
  • LIST of LAW FIRMS NAME of FIRM ADDRESS TEL # FAX # Ajayi Legal
    THE LAW SOCIETY OF BOTSWANA - LIST OF LAW FIRMS NAME OF FIRM ADDRESS TEL # FAX # Ajayi Legal Chambers P.O.Box 228, Sebele 3111321 Ajayi Legal Chambers P.O.Box 10220, Selebi Phikwe 2622441 2622442 Ajayi Legal Chambers P.O.Box 449, Letlhakane 2976784 2976785 Akheel Jinabhai & Associates P.O.Box 20575, Gaborone 3906636/3903906 3906642 Akoonyatse Law Firm P.O. Box 25058, Gaborone 3937360 3937350 Antonio & Partners Legal Practice P.O.Box HA 16 HAK, Maun 6864475 6864475 Armstrong Attorneys P.O.Box 1368, Gaborone 3953481 3952757 Badasu & Associates P.O.Box 80274, Gaborone 3700297 3700297 Banyatsi Mmekwa Attorneys P.O.Box 2278 ADD Poso House, Gaborone 3906450/2 3906449 Baoleki Attorneys P.O.Box 45111 Riverwalk, Gaborone 3924775 3924779 Bayford & Botha Attorneys P.O.Box 390, Lobatse 5301369 5301370 B. Maripe & Company P.O.Box 1425, Gaborone 3903258 3181719 B.K.Mmolawa Attorneys P.O.Box 30750, Francistown 2415944 2415943 Bayford & Associates P.O.Box 202283, Gaborone 3956877 3956886 Begane & Associates P.O. Box 60230, Gaborone 3191078 Benito Acolatse Attorneys P.O.Box 1157, Gaborone 3956454 3956447 Bernard Bolele Attorneys P.O.Box 47048, Gaborone 3959111 3951636 Biki & Associates P.O.Box AD 137ABE, Gaborone 3952559 Bogopa Manewe & Tobedza Attorneys P.O.Box 26465, Gaborone 3905466 3905451 Bonner Attorneys Bookbinder Business Law P/Bag 382, Gaborone 3912397 3912395 Briscoe Attorneys P.O.Box 402492, Gaborone 3953377 3904809 Britz Attorneys 3957524 3957062 Callender Attorneys P.O.Box 1354, Francistown 2441418 2446886 Charles Tlagae Attorneys P.O.Box
    [Show full text]
  • 2011 Population and Housing Census
    2011 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS Ministry of Finance and Development Planning 2011 Census Slogan: Palo yame, tsela ya ditlhabololo My count, a guide to developments August 2009 CSO in Collaboration with UNFPA PROJECT DOCUMENT 2011 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS Published by Central Statistics Office Private Bag 0024, Gaborone Telephone: 33671300 Fax: 3952201 E-mail:[email protected] Website: www.cso.gov.bw Contact Unit : Census Secretariat Telephone: 3671300 Ext. 1305 August 2009 COPYRIGHT RESERVED Extracts may be published if source is duly acknowledged i CONTENTS PREFACE .................................................................................................................... 1 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ....................................................... 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 4 1. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION ................................................................ 5 1.1 Background of the 2011 Census Taking .............................................................. 5 1.2 Justification ......................................................................................................... 5 1.2.1 Evidence-based decision making, policy-making, planning and administration ....................................................................................................... 5 1.2.2 Research .................................................................................................... 5 1.2.3 Service to stakeholders
    [Show full text]
  • Botswana Environment Statistics Water Digest 2018
    Botswana Environment Statistics Water Digest 2018 Private Bag 0024 Gaborone TOLL FREE NUMBER: 0800600200 Tel: ( +267) 367 1300 Fax: ( +267) 395 2201 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.statsbots.org.bw Published by STATISTICS BOTSWANA Private Bag 0024, Gaborone Phone: 3671300 Fax: 3952201 Email: [email protected] Website: www.statsbots.org.bw Contact Unit: Environment Statistics Unit Phone: 367 1300 ISBN: 978-99968-482-3-0 (e-book) Copyright © Statistics Botswana 2020 No part of this information shall be reproduced, stored in a Retrieval system, or even transmitted in any form or by any means, whether electronically, mechanically, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of Statistics Botswana. BOTSWANA ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS WATER DIGEST 2018 Statistics Botswana PREFACE This is Statistics Botswana’s annual Botswana Environment Statistics: Water Digest. It is the first solely water statistics annual digest. This Digest will provide data for use by decision-makers in water management and development and provide tools for the monitoring of trends in water statistics. The indicators in this report cover data on dam levels, water production, billed water consumption, non-revenue water, and water supplied to mines. It is envisaged that coverage of indicators will be expanded as more data becomes available. International standards and guidelines were followed in the compilation of this report. The United Nations Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics (UNFDES) and the United Nations International Recommendations for Water Statistics were particularly useful guidelines. The data collected herein will feed into the UN System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA) for water and hence facilitate an informed management of water resources.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 SEAT Report Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines
    SEAT 3 REPORT Debswana - Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mine (OLDM) November 2017 1 2 FOREWORD rounded assessment of the socio-economic impacts of our operation – positive and negative - in our zone of influence. This is the second impact assessment of this nature being conducted, the first one having been carried out in 2014. The information in this socio-economic assessment report helped to improve our understanding of the local dynamics associated with the impact our operation’s that are real and perceived. It also provided us with invaluable insight into our stakeholders’ perspectives, expectations, concerns and suggestions. This report is a valuable tool to guide our thinking on community development and our management of the social impacts of OLDM’s future closure at the end of the life of mine. Furthermore, it provides a useful mechanism in mobilising local stakeholders to work with us towards successful mine closure. The report has also given valuable feedback on issues around mine expansion initiatives and access to resources like land and groundwater. More importantly, meaningful feedback has been provided around two critical areas: resettlement and options around town transformation. We recognise the complexity of a proper plan for future mine closure at the end of the life of mine. In the past, our plans for future mine closure mainly focused on environmental aspects, with community involvement often limited to cursory consultation processes. Today, in line with current trends, my team and I are convinced that community ownership of the post closure goals is the only sustainable means to propel communities to prosper when OLDM is no longer involved.
    [Show full text]
  • The Republic of Botswana Second and Third Report To
    THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA SECOND AND THIRD REPORT TO THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS (ACHPR) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS 2015 1 | P a g e TABLE OF CONTENTS I. PART I. a. Abbreviations b. Introduction c. Methodology and Consultation Process II. PART II. A. General Information - B. Laws, policies and (institutional) mechanisms for human rights C. Follow-up to the 2010 Concluding observations D. Obstacles to the exercise and enjoyment of the rights and liberties enshrined in the African Charter: III. PART III A. Areas where Botswana has made significant progress in the realization of the rights and liberties enshrined in the African Charter a. Article 2, 3 and 19 (Non-discrimination and Equality) b. Article 7 & 26 (Fair trial, Independence of the Judiciary) c. Article 10 (Right to association) d. Article 14 (Property) e. Article 16 (Health) f. Article 17 (Education) g. Article 24 (Environment) B. Areas where some progress has been made by Botswana in the realization of the rights and liberties enshrined in the African Charter a. Article 1er (implementation of the provisions of the African Charter) b. Article 4 (Life and Integrity of the person) c. Article 5 (Human dignity/Torture) d. Article 9 (Freedom of Information) e. Article 11 (Freedom of Assembly) f. Article 12 (Freedom of movement) g. Article 13 (participation to public affairs) h. Article 15 (Work) i. Article 18 (Family) j. Article 20 (Right to existence) k. Article 21 (Right to freely dispose of wealth and natural resources) 2 | P a g e C.
    [Show full text]
  • Botswana COVID-19 Guideline 5: Quarantine and Isolation
    Botswana COVID-19 Guideline 5: Quarantine and Isolation Version: 1.0 5th May 2020 Table of Contents FOREWORD ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................... 3 DEFINITION OF TERMS .................................................................................................. 5 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS .............................................................................. 6 SCOPE OF THE DOCUMENT ............................................................................................ 7 CASE DEFINITIONS ......................................................................................................... 8 PRINCIPLES OF QUARANTINE...................................................................................... 9 INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE .................................................................................. 11 HOME QUARANTINE ...................................................................................................... 14 PRINCIPLES OF ISOLATION........................................................................................ 15 FACILITY ISOLATION OF COVID-19 CASES ............................................................ 16 HOME ISOLATION OF COVID-19 CASES ................................................................... 17 APPENDICES ..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Bank of Botswana
    PAPER 4 BANK OF BOTSWANA DIRECTORY OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OPERATING IN BOTSWANA AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 PREPARED AND DISTRIBUTED BY THE BANKING SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT BANK OF BOTSWANA Foreword This directory is compiled and distributed by the Banking Supervision Department of the Bank of Botswana. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this directory, such information is subject to frequent revision, and thus the Bank accepts no responsibility for the continuing accuracy of the information. Interested parties are advised to contact the respective financial institutions directly for any information they require. This directory excludes Collective Investment Undertakings and International Financial Services Centre non-bank entities, whose regulation and supervision have been transferred to the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority. Oabile Mabusa DIRECTOR BANKING SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT 1 DIRECTORY OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OPERATING IN BOTSWANA TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. CENTRAL BANK ............................................................................................................................................. 4 2. COMMERCIAL BANKS ................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 ABN AMRO BANK (B OTSWANA ) LIMITED ..................................................................................................... 6 2.2 ABN AMRO BANK (B OTSWANA ) OBU LIMITED ...........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Securing Recognition of Minorities and Maginalized People and Their Rights in Botswana
    Evaluation: Securing Recognition of Minorities and Marginalized People and their Rights in Botswana PROJECT EVALUATION REPORT FINAL SECURING RECOGNITION OF MINORITIES AND MAGINALIZED PEOPLE AND THEIR RIGHTS IN BOTSWANA Submitted to: Minorities Rights Group International, 54 Commercial Street, London E1, 6LT, United Kingdom Submitted by: Tersara Investments P.O. Box 2139, Gaborone, Botswana, Africa 2/27/2019 This document is property of Minorities Rights Group International, a registered UK Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee and its Partners. 1 Evaluation: Securing Recognition of Minorities and Marginalized People and their Rights in Botswana Document details Client Minority Rights Group International Project title Consulting Services for the Final Evaluation: Securing Recognition of Minorities and Marginalized Peoples and their Rights in Botswana Document type Final Evaluation Document No. TS/18/MRG/EVAL00 This document Text (pgs.) Tables (No.) Figures (no.) Annexes Others comprises 17 3 7 2 N/A Document control Document version Detail Issue date TS/19/MRG/EVAL01 Project Evaluation Report FINAL for 13 June 2019 MRGI 2 Evaluation: Securing Recognition of Minorities and Marginalized People and their Rights in Botswana Contents Document details ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Document control ................................................................................................................................... 2 LIST OF FIGURES (TABLES, CHARTS)
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Road Transport and Safety Offices
    DEPARTMENT OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND SAFETY OFFICES AND SERVICES MOLEPOLOLE • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Driver Examination (Theory & Practical Tests) • Transport Inspectorate Tel: 5920148 Fax: 5910620 P/Bag 52 Molepolole Next to Molepolole Police MOCHUDI • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Driver Examination (Theory & Practical Tests) • Transport Inspectorate P/Bag 36 Mochudi Tel : 5777127 Fax : 5748542 White House GABORONE Headquarters BBS Mall Plot no 53796 Tshomarelo House (Botswana Savings Bank) 1st, 2nd &3rd Floor Corner Lekgarapa/Letswai Road •Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers •Road safety (Public Education) Tel: 3688600/62 Fax : Fax: 3904067 P/Bag 0054 Gaborone GABORONE VTS – MARUAPULA • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Driver Examination (Theory & Practical Tests) • Vehicle Examination Tel: 3912674/2259 P/Bag BR 318 B/Hurst Near Roads Training & Roads Maintenance behind Maruapula Flats GABORONE II – FAIRGROUNDS • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Driver Examination : Theory Tel: 3190214/3911540/3911994 Fax : P/Bag 0054 Gaborone GABORONE - OLD SUPPLIES • Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers • Transport Permits • Transport Inspectorate Tel: 3905050 Fax :3932671 P/Bag 0054 Gaborone Plot 1221, Along Nkrumah Road, Near Botswana Power Corporation CHILDREN TRAFFIC SCHOOL •Road Safety Promotion for children only Tel: 3161851 P/Bag BR 318 B/Hurst RAMOTSWA •Registration & Licensing of vehicles and drivers •Driver Examination (Theory & Practical
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 1 Botswana.Fm
    HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTED? NINE SOUTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRY REPORTS ON HIV, AIDS AND THE LAW AIDS and Human Rights Research Unit 2007 Human rights protected? Nine Southern African country reports on HIV, AIDS and the law Published by: Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) The Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) is a publisher at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, South Africa. PULP endeavours to publish and make available innovative, high-quality scholarly texts on law in Africa that have been peer-reviewed. PULP also publishes a series of collections of legal documents related to public law in Africa, as well as text books from African countries other than South Africa. For more information on PULP, see www.pulp.up.ac.za Printed and bound by: ABC Press Cape Town Cover design: Yolanda Booyzen, Centre for Human Rights To order, contact: PULP Faculty of Law University of Pretoria South Africa 0002 Tel: +27 12 420 4948 Fax: +27 12 362 5125 [email protected] www.pulp.up.ac.za ISBN: 978-0-9802658-7-3 The financial support of OSISA is gratefully acknowledged. © 2007 Copyright subsists in this work. It may be reproduced only with permission from the AIDS and Human Rights Research Unit, University of Pretoria. Table of contents PREFACE iv LIST OF FREQUENTLY USED ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS vii 1 HIV, AIDS and the law in Botswana 1 2 HIV, AIDS and the law in Lesotho 39 3 HIV, AIDS and the law in Malawi 81 4 HIV, AIDS and the law in Mozambique 131 5 HIV, AIDS and the law in Namibia 163 6 HIV, AIDS and the law in South Africa 205 7 HIV, AIDS and the
    [Show full text]