Three death row prisoners in Japan are taking the government to court as they fight to end the practice of execution by hanging. The inmates argue hanging – currently the only means of execution in the country – is inhumane.
They are also seeking 33 million yen ($238,000; £198,000) in compensation for psychological distress. They say that living in fear of death for many years has led to “mental agony”, according to Kyodo News.
The Justice Ministry has said it cannot comment on the complaint as it had not received it.
A lawyer for the prisoners, Kyoji Mizutani, says it’s hoped the lawsuit will start a conversation about the future of capital punishment in Japan.
The lawsuit comes after two other inmates in Osaka took legal action against same-day executions late last year. Prisoners are currently notified only hours before they are to be executed, something the government has said is meant to keep them from suffering.
Credit: bbc.com
