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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 April 1999 Issue No. 424 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 April 1999 Issue No. 424
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Right of appeal
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters
Sir-I write as a retired English biological scientist with an admiration for your country and an interest in human rights issues.May I respectfully raise with you some matters concerning the death penalty? I have been sorry to learn of the increasing problems your country is having with drug traffickers and terrorist acts, some of them against tourists. I recognise that these are difficult problems to deal with, but I am unhappy with the death penalty as a solution.
First, I doubt if it is an effective deterrent. Indeed, some of the more fanatical terrorists may desire to be seen as martyrs for their cause. Secondly, there is evidence from nearly all countries, including my own, that the death penalty has been applied to people subsequently found to have been innocent. I believe that, in some trials before military courts, defence lawyers have had inadequate time to prepare their cases. In trials before military courts and the Emergency Supreme State Security Courts, I believe there to be an above average risk of innocent people being convicted.
In the name of humanity, I am therefore asking your government that defendants sentenced to death by these courts should have an automatic right of appeal to a higher court. More generally, I would ask that wherever possible, death sentences are commuted.
I hope very much that you will find these views from a friendly foreign national of interest, and that you will support these sentiments.
H J Killick
Abingdon, Oxon
UK
Flying for football
Sir-I was visiting the Imbaba Airport with a friend who does parasailing. I commented on the poor condition of the airport, and he told me that it would soon be closed, as illegal buildings have cropped up all around it, making it dangerous. He added that it will be turned probably into a park, something that area really needs.If what I heard is correct, I suggest that a good part of it should be turned into organised recreation areas or public playgrounds for the youth of Imbaba.
These young people love football. On my tour inside the airport, I could see at least three teams playing football matches, completely oblivious to the danger they were in, and the accidents they could cause.
This would keep them out of the streets, and their frustrations could be expressed in sports, instead of drugs and crime.
The rest of the future green area could then be opened to the public of Imbaba. A small fee, say 25 piastres per adult -- I don't believe children should pay -- could help in the upkeep of the place. This system was successfully applied in the Sphinx garden before it was closed down for bridge construction.
Reine Naggar
Cairo
Define regressive
Sir-I read with astonishment Ms Reine Naggar's letter to the editor (Al-Ahram Weekly, 1 - 7 April), and I find it quite difficult to understand her linking be-ween the wearing of the higab or the niqab and regressiveness. If she has the right to refuse the niqab, she cannot im-ose her view on others.I take this chance to congratulate Al-Ahram Weekly on its deep political and cultural coverage of the world and Egypt. Keep it up!
Mahmoud Abdel-Hamid
Awseem
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