Seven international rights organizations, including Amnesty International and The Botswana Centre for Human Rights, have called on the Bangladeshi government to abolish the death penalty. The coalition’s appeal comes following the death sentence handed down to Lesedi Molapisi, a Botswana national, by a Dhaka court. Molapisi was apprehended in January 2022 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with over three kilograms of heroin, leading to his death sentence under the amended Narcotics Control Act.
The groups argue that the death penalty is disproportionate, particularly for drug-related offenses, which are considered non-violent crimes. By referencing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, they stress that the death penalty should be reserved for the most serious crimes involving intentional killing. Bangladesh’s stance contrasts with the global trend towards abolition; over two-thirds of countries have abolished capital punishment either by law or in practice.
The statement from the rights groups also urged the Bangladeshi authorities to commute Molapisi’s death sentence using provisions under sections 401 and 402 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This call for clemency is aimed at setting a precedent for future legal reforms, urging the government towards a declared moratorium on executions and comprehensive abolition of the death penalty.
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