ZIMBABWE: Death Penalty Stifling Free Speech
By Stanley Kwenda
HARARE - Zimbabwean rights activists are campaigning with unprecedented vigour for an end to the death penalty as the country's political and economic crisis deepens, arguing that this is essential for an open debate on the nation's future and its joining the "civilised democracies of the world".
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DEATH PENALTY-JAPAN: Killing Suspense
By Suvendrini Kakuchi
TOKYO - Last Christmas Day is etched into the memory of Kaoru Okashita, 60, a Japanese prisoner on death row. In the distance he heard the footfall of guards marching steadily towards his cell early in the morning -- and then miraculously passing by without halting.
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PHILIPPINES: UN Lifeline Against Extra-Judicial Killings
By Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK - By condemning the Philippines' military for having a hand in a brutal campaign to eliminate politicians and activists with left-leaning views, a United Nations envoy may have thrown a lifeline to many whose lives may be in danger.
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RIGHTS: Some Way Yet to Killing Off the Death Penalty
By Julio Godoy
PARIS - If it were not for a handful of countries persisting in carrying out executions, activists for the abolition of the death penalty around the world would have departed for home after their Third World Congress which took place in Paris from Feb 1 to 3, saying: "Mission accomplished".
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CARIBBEAN: Amid Increased Murders, Calls for Hanging
By Peter Ischyrion
PORT OF SPAIN - Wendell Bowen was blunt: "I support hangings, something needs to be done with crime." She was speaking to the Trinidadian newspaper Newsday, which carried out a recent snap poll on what was worrying its readers most of all.
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DEATH PENALTY-PAKISTAN: Too Many Dubious Convictions Say Activists
By Zofeen Ebrahim
KARACHI - The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights have called for an immediate moratorium on death penalties in Pakistan -- or many innocent people may be executed.
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RIGHTS: Executions Create Generations of Victims
By Mithre J. Sandrasagra
UNITED NATIONS - "They're going to kill him because he killed somebody, so when they kill him, who do we get to kill?" asked the 10-year-old daughter of Christina Lawson at the time of her father's execution by the U.S. state of Texas in 2005.
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RIGHTS-PHILIPPINES: UN Probes Extra-Judicial Killings
By Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK - A 10-day visit by a United Nations investigator to the Philippines, starting Monday, is being welcomed in some quarters as a chance to expose an alleged campaign to ''exterminate left-wing activists'' in that South-east Asian nation.
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GRENADA: Death Sentence Thrown Out for Bishop's Killers
By Peter Ischyrion
ST. GEORGE'S - Grenada celebrated its 33rd anniversary of political independence from Britain on Wednesday with the usual pomp and ceremony befitting such an occasion.
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News from International NGOs:
Hands Off Cain Updates Country Status On The Death Penalty --- 3rd World Congress Against The Death Penalty Expresss Relief And Concern --- Central Asia, Closer To Becoming A Death Penalty-Free Region?

WORLD PRESS REVIEW:
France Adopts Constitutional Amendment, Abolishing Death Penalty --- Tandoor Case: High Court Confirms Death Penalty --- Bangladesh. Army Officer, Two Others Sentenced To Death --- China. Highest Court To Order Provinces To Retry Death Sentences --- Death Penalty To Remain In Zambia --- Uganda. President Museveni Supports Death Penalty --- Ethiopian Sc Upholds Death Sentences On Convicted Terrorists --- Legislators Will Look At N.C. Death Penalty Rule