Amnesty International decries alarming series of executions in Botswana

01 Novembre 2020

Nairobi, Kenya, November 1 (Infosplusgabon) - President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s first year in office has been characterized by a rise in executions, with four people executed since his inauguration, Amnesty International said on Friday.

“The alarming rise in executions under President Masisi has cast a chilling shadow over his presidency.

“Since President Masisi was sworn into office a year ago, four people have been hanged, taking away their right to life,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

“By continuing to sign execution warrants, President Masisi is showing a disregard for the right to life and bucking the regional and global trend against the ultimate cruel and inhumane punishment.”

Botswana recorded its first execution under President Masisi in December 2019, barely a month after he came to office, with the hanging of Mooketsi Kgosibodiba, who had been on death row since 2017.

In February 2020, Mmika Michael Mpe was hanged and Moabi Seabelo Mabiletsa and Matshidiso Tshid Boikanyo were hanged in March.

“President Masisi has missed an opportunity to break the cycle of executions in Botswana and demonstrate that justice can be delivered without using the death penalty. “There is no evidence that the death penalty is an effective deterrent to crime,” said Muchena.

“Justice is not served by executing people and the world is moving away from this abhorrent and degrading form of punishment,” Amnesty said.

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