Gaborone: AMNESTY International has condemned the execution of a Botswana death row prisoner as an “appalling step backwards,” and urged authorities to abolish capital punishment.
Joseph Poni Tselayarona (28) was executed Saturday following his conviction for the murder of his girlfriend and her three year old son in 2010, the Botswana Prison Services said.
“Joseph’s execution is a step back for Botswana and it shows the government’s contempt for life. The death penalty is an abhorrent punishment and should never be used in any circumstances.
“While many countries in the region are moving away from this cruel form of punishment, Botswana is regressing,” Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southern Africa, said.
“The death penalty has no place in the modern era. Instead of executing people, the government of Botswana should immediately establish an official moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing this cruel and inhuman punishment.”
Muchena said Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner.
“The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Amnesty International calls on Botswana to abolish the death penalty for all crimes as have 105 countries in the world.”
The death penalty in Botswana has been enforced since independence in 1966.
