The United Nations Special Rapporteur on summary executions, Agnes Callamard, has appealed for a halt to the execution of two brothers convicted of a 2006 murder.

“To proceed with their execution would be in flagrant violation of international standards for the application of the death penalty and would be tantamount to an arbitrary execution,” the UN human rights expert warned.

“There are strong indications that the death penalty may be carried out against the Batumalai brothers following judicial procedures that do not fulfil the most stringent guarantees of fair trial and due process,” said Callamard, stressing that fundamental safeguards had not been observed.