Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 08:02:11 -0700
From: kevin@spidel.net ("Kevin Spidel")
Subject: [aiarizona] FW: A MAJOR STATEMENT ON THE DEATH PENALTY---Issues of concern for AIUSA
To: aiarizona@yahoogroups.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel.Georges-Abeyie@sjsu.edu [mailto:Daniel.Georges-Abeyie@sjsu.edu]
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2002 6:11 PM
To: mwilliams@aiusa.org; kspdel@valleyforward.org; kspidel@ix.netcom.com
Subject: Re: A MAJOR STATEMENT ON THE DEATH PENALTY---Issues of concern for
AIUSA



Amnesty International USA and AIUSA-AZ commends the recent US Supreme Court
ruling in Ring v. Arizona, which notes the Sixth Amendment violation
inherent in allowing judges to determine capital punishment sentences
following a jury's decision of guilt.  AIUSA  and AIUSA-AZ also recognizes
the concern of the Arizona citizenry as well as that of the Arizona
Department of Corrections in regard to security and custody issues, that is,
in regard to the issues concerning escape risk and dangerousness of inmates
previously convicted and sentenced to death.  AIUSA and AIUSA-AZ also
recognizes that many Arizona citizens have profound concerns that center
around the issue of retribution and revenge for victims of homicide.  AIUSA
and AIUSA-AZ reiterates that numerous sentencing options congruent with the
recent Ring v. Arizona decision, are available, which  exclude the death
penalty and range from fixed-term sentences to that of "life without
parole"; i.e., sentencing options that are not within the AIUSA mandate to
endorse or to reject.  AIUSA and AIUSA-AZ continues to believe that
adherence to the Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution can be assured along
with security, custody, and retribution without jury re-sentencing of
convicted inmates to death, which AIUSA considers a grave human rights
violation; i.e., the violation of every human beings "right to life" [ a
right recognized under such human rights standards as the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights].  It is AIUSA's and AIUSA-AZ's expectation that
as the Arizona legislature acts to assure Sixth Amendments Rights, such as
judicial review by ones peers, responsible executive, legislative, and
judicial representatives of the citizens of Arizona will not abrogate the
most basic of human rights; i.e., "the right to life" in the re-sentencing
of formerly condemned inmates or of current or future defendants in capital
cases.