Civil Rights Group and Activists Urge The Government To Halt Execution Of Mentally Ill Prisoner

A civil rights group that has been campaigning to end the practice of evoking the death penalty in Pakistan has urged the state to not go through with the execution of a mentally ill prisoner. Ghulam Abbas,36, has shown clear signs mental illness according to psychiatrist Dr. Malik Hussain Mubbashar. Dr Malik adds that his medical records show that the prisoner is being given strong anti-psychotic drugs and also has a family history of mental illness.

Abbas was sentenced to hang in 2006, for fatally stabbing his neighbor a few years prior to his sentencing. Pakistan is a signatory of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an international convention that ensures the dignity and humane treatment of individuals with mental disabilities.  Rights groups, activists and several others have expressed their disapproval over the decision and are urging the President of Pakistan Arif Alvi to Intervene.

For 15 long years, Ghulam Abbas’ health has remained neglected in prison. And now there's no more time to waste.

An independent medical board must examine Abbas at the earliest, before it's too late.#SaveGhulamAbbas

— Justice Project Pakistan (@JusticeProject_) June 17, 2019

The state cannot execute someone who is probably not of sound mind, and call that justice. #SaveGhulamAbbas https://t.co/YQMgxAYWBX

— Ifrah Hassan (@ifrahsaysyo) June 16, 2019

A death row prisoner Ghulam Abbas, with symptoms of mental illness, is due to be executed in 48 hours. You could help us save his life by urging the President of Pakistan @ArifAlvi (using #SaveGhulamAbbas) to grant him a stay so medical board of psychiatrists can examine him. pic.twitter.com/SmmZaLJbSg

— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) June 16, 2019

@ArifAlvi you personally called someone to apologise for a parking inconvenience yesterday. Please extend this courteous spirit to a mentally ill man who is about to be executed by granting him a stay. ?? #SaveGhulamAbbas https://t.co/XtgeTCyF1o

— Nida Kirmani (@nidkirm) June 16, 2019

Pakistan lifted the moratorium on executions that was imposed in 2008, after the Tehreek-e-Taliban pakistan attacked a school in Peshawar. According to the Justice Project Pakistan 465 prisoners have been executed since the ban was lifted.