Afzal's hanging barbaric, says NHRC member

The hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was an "abomination" and a "barbaric" violation of human rights, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Satyabrata Pal said here Tuesday.

However, he said these were his personal views and did not represent the commission in any manner.

"Death penalty is an abomination in a democracy and Afzal Guru's hanging is a barbaric violation of human rights. Not only his but it is also the violation of rights of his family which did not get the right to grieve," Pal told reporters.

Lamenting at the manner in which Guru was executed, he said: "The family had the right to grieve, meet Afzal Guru and conduct last rites."

Afzal Guru, 43, was hanged inside the Tihar Central Jail in the capital and buried near his solitary cell Feb 9. The hanging triggered a debate across the country. - IANS