Sparing the Killers of Belize
Charlotte McDonald tells the story of a campaign to fight the death penalty in Belize, and how the reformers鈥� struggle there has had far reaching consequences elsewhere
The former British colony of Belize is a tiny country that boasts rich Central American indigenous culture and a spectacular Caribbean coast. It also suffers a high rate of violent crime, and its one and only prison houses more than its fair share of murderers. The 大象传媒鈥檚 Charlotte McDonald has gained rare access to the jail, and to inmates there who have faced capital punishment for their crimes 鈥� sometimes coming alarmingly close to being put to death. All have since been spared thanks to an ongoing legal campaign, led by a group of British lawyers. As this programme discovers, the reformists have not only saved lives in Central America, for their campaign has had consequences for prisoners throughout the world. Yet, enduring a rising murder rate and menacing gangs, many local people in Belize remain convinced that violent offenders should go to the gallows.
Producer: Mike Gallagher
(Image: Glenford Baptist was the last man on death row in Belize. His sentence has now been commuted to imprisonment)
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My mother's killer should die
Duration: 00:32
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Death to Death Row in Belize
Duration: 02:22
Broadcasts
- Thu 30 Jun 2016 02:32GMT大象传媒 World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Thu 30 Jun 2016 04:32GMT大象传媒 World Service Online, Europe and the Middle East, South Asia & UK DAB/Freeview only
- Thu 30 Jun 2016 05:32GMT大象传媒 World Service East Asia
- Thu 30 Jun 2016 06:32GMT大象传媒 World Service Australasia
- Thu 30 Jun 2016 12:32GMT大象传媒 World Service except News Internet
- Thu 30 Jun 2016 15:32GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Sat 2 Jul 2016 15:06GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Mon 4 Jul 2016 01:06GMT大象传媒 World Service Australasia
- Mon 4 Jul 2016 06:06GMT大象传媒 World Service East Asia
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