Abuja, 8 May-(ANA)-Amnesty International has expressed dismay at the decision by the Imo State House of Assembly to pass a bill providing for the death penalty for anyone convicted of kidnapping or whose premises are used by a kidnapper to hold someone hostage.
The organization urged the Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, not to sign the bill into law.
“Kidnapping is a terrible crime that causes anguish for both the victims and their families,” said Aster van Kregten, Amnesty International’s Nigeria researcher.
“But extending the scope of the death penalty to include this crime is a retrogressive step that does nothing to protect the victims – in fact, it only serves to put them at greater risk.”
“This law may act as an incentive to kill, as perpetrators may decide they have ‘nothing to lose’ – leading to an increase in killings of victims, innocent bystanders and police officers trying to apprehend the criminals.
“Experience has shown that the threat of the death penalty is not an effective answer to violent crime – it can actually exacerbate violence in a society,” said Aster van Kregten.
Retention of the death penalty has not reduced armed robbery or murder rates in Nigeria. Between 1970 and 1999, more than 2,600 death row prisoners were executed, but the crime rate did not decrease. (ANA)
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