Parliamentary Questions

WRITTEN QUESTION

Submission: Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(6 November 2003)

In a recent statement, Amnesty International condemns that a court in Sudan imposed the penalty of “crucifixion amputation” (that is, amputation of the right hand and left foot) on a sixteen-year-old suspect of armed assault. If this decision becomes final, its implementation will not be delayed.

The penalty of amputation essentially constitutes torture and is a severe violation of human rights, as Sudan has ratified a number of conventions that protect human rights and condemn torture. Such punishments are not rare in a country where the judicial system and criminal legislation have incorporated provisions of Islamic law (Sharia).

The Committee is asked what it intends to do in order to exert pressure on the Sudanese government to suspend this particular decision, as well as to proceed with the abolition of torture, in a manner that ensures Sudan’s compliance with the Human Rights Conventions it has signed.