Ditshwanelo backs Masisi in Molapisi death sentence appeal

Larona Makhaiza | Tuesday June 4, 2024 13:36

Before jetting off to the United States of America (USA) on a working trip, the President revealed to the media that Molapisi had been sentenced to death by the Asian country. Masisi added that government would try and mediate the sentence in the hope that it gets overturned. Through a statement Ditshwanelo, an institution that advocates for human rights, seconded what Masisi told the media at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA). “The Botswana Centre for Human Rights has taken serious note of media reports about the death sentence of Lesedi Molapisi.

She was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalala International Airport in Bangladesh, a retentionist state, [wherein] drug trafficking is a capital offence and carries the death penalty,” noted Ditshwanelo. The organisation stated that what the President is doing is a great initiative as it aligns with what the institution advocates. Ditshwanelo has always been anti-death sentence and showed it once again this week in the death sentence of Thato Tsametse. “We commend the President of Botswana for his reported commitment that the government of Botswana will provide financial support if the case is appealed as well as emotional support in the form of counselling for the Molapisi family,” stated Ditshwanelo.

The human rights body further elaborated that they will always remain opposed to the use of the death penalty as it is inhumane and believes that it is not an effective deterrent to crime once implemented. Molapisi has been put on Bangladesh's death row after she was sentenced this week on May 27 guilty verdict for drug trafficking.