BHRC has sent a letter of concern to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Somaliland calling for the Court to suspend the execution of Mr. Abdullhai Ali and urgently review his case in light of evidence demonstrating serious mental illness.
BHRC is deeply concerned that not only has Mr. Ali been denied the vital protection of legal assistance at trial, but that his mental illness was not taken into consideration, either in relation to culpability or suitable punishment. While BHRC is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances, the letter points to international human rights law standards that declare the death sentence to be a morally and legally improper penalty for the mentally ill.
Mr. Ali now faces the death penalty by firing squad. BHRC calls for his conviction to be quashed or his senetence commuted.
