Bell Witch and Extrajudicial punishment: Difference between pages

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'''Extrajudicial punishment''' is [[physical]] punishment without the permission of a court or legal authority, and as such, constitutes a violation of basic human rights (such as the right to [[due process]] and [[humane]] treatment). [[Agents]] of a [[state apparatus]] may sometimes carry out this type of punishment if they come to the conclusion that a person is an imminent threat to security. The existence of extrajudicial punishment is considered proof that some governments will break their own [[legal code]] if deemed necessary. [[Non-governmental]] or non-state actors, including private individuals, have also resorted to different forms of extrajudicial punishment, though such actions are more properly called [[assassination]], [[murder]] or [[vigilantism]] instead.

'''The Bell Witch haunting''' is the name given to a series of supposedly real events associated with the family of [[Adams Station, Tennessee]] ([[Robertson County, Tennessee|Robertson County]]) settler John Bell, between [[1817]] and [[1821]]. Many of these events were allegedly witnessed and documented by hundreds of people (among them future [[President of the United States]] [[Andrew Jackson]]) and the episode represents one of the most famous instances of a [[haunting]] in history. It is thought to have been an influence on the fictional film ''[[The Blair Witch Project]]''.

== History Existence==

Although the legal use of [[capital punishment]] is generally decreasing around the world, individuals or groups deemed immediately threatening — or even, in times of comparative stability, simply "undesirable" — to a government's ability to govern may nevertheless be targeted for killing [[extra-judicially]] by some regimes or their representatives. Such killing typically happens quickly, with skilled secret security forces on a covert basis, performed in such a way as to avoid massive public outcry and international criticism that would reflect badly on the state.

{{totallydisputed}}

The Bell Witch is believed by some to be the spirit of Kate Batts, an old neighbor of John Bell who believed she was cheated by him in a land purchase. She swore on her deathbed to get even and after she died, the haunting began. Modern researchers have found, however, that Mrs. Batts actually outlived Mr. Bell. It was true, however, that the spirit once referred to itself as "Kate Batts' witch."

The "witch" reportedly manifested herself as an invisible presence at first, gnawing on the bedposts, scratching at the walls, and jerking the blankets off of sleeping family members. Later, those in the house heard horrid noises, like that of someone strangling or choking, lips smacking, and loud gulping. Eventually the spirit began trying to speak, first whispering faintly, then later gaining power, enabling this entity to speak directly to anyone in the room. Often she would converse, sing, shriek, curse, and physically interact with the Bell family and other witnesses - most times with a high degree of physical violence. 'Kate', as everyone eventually called her, did not hesitate to slap, pinch, or claw those whom she considered deserving of her wrath. Once, during the haunting, an entire 'family' of spirits, who called themselves a 'witch family', appeared to arrive and began speaking with those in the house. These spirits called themselves 'Black Dog, Jerusalem, Mathmatics, and Cypocraphy.' Later, these spirits left, and only Kate remained to torment those in the house. It is notable to see that in our recorded history, this is one of few poltergeist cases where the entity could actually speak. The spirit also seemed to have a divine knowledge of things, such as being able to quote any scripture in the Bible flawlessly, predict the future, sing any hymn or song requested of it, or see events unfolding great distances away, accurately reporting the events later. Guests at the Bell farm were often horrified when the spirit would attack them verbally and divulge the most secret events of their lives to onlookers.

She tormented the family, especially John and his youngest daughter Betsy, while being indifferent to others and even especially fond of Mrs. Bell. She often referred to Mrs. Bell as 'Luce', and often said to others in the house, " Luce is a good woman. " Later during the haunting, when Mrs. Bell became gravely ill with pleurisy, the spirit even deigned to stop the more terrifying antics so that Mrs. Bell could rest more easily. She would offer to sing hymns to her, or any song Mrs. Bell requested in the hopes of making her feel better. Once, when the afflicted woman was especially ill and others feared for her life, she stopped eating completely. The spirit pleaded with her to eat something, and when she wouldn't, the spirit offered to get her some walnuts from the nearby forest, in hopes of tempting her to eat. Minutes later, those in the room witnessed Kate return, and heard her ask Mrs. Bell to hold out her hands. When she did, they reported a shower of walnuts fell into her outstretched palms. When she did not eat them right away, the spirit asked her, " Say, Luce...why don't you eat the nuts? " To this Mrs. Bell responded, " I have no way to crack them, Kate." Seconds after this, witnesses reported hearing cracking sounds, and saw the shells crumbling beneath some unseen force. Later, Mrs. Bell recovered from her illness, and Kate soon went back to her normal antics.

The Bell Witch is said to have stopped Betsy from marrying a neighbor boy named Joshua Gardner, but for reasons unknown, allowed her to marry her schoolteacher Richard Powell. This leads some to claim that perhaps the haunting events were a hoax perpetrated by Powell. However, it was not explained in theory how Powell could have managed to slap, pinch and claw people without being noticed. Nor were theories forthcoming for other miraculous events that fascinated those who witnessed them, such as the moving of objects, predicting the future, divulging secrets, and the eventual poisoning of John Bell.

The death of John Bell, on [[December 20]] [[1820]], is claimed to have been caused by the Bell Witch. She is said to have declared that she replaced his medicine with poison and gave him a dose of it as he slept. When this 'medicine' was tested on a house cat, the animal went into convulsions and died. "I've got Old Jack this time!", she laughed to the others, "He'll never get up from that bed again!"

At his funeral, the witch is said to have sung loudly and joyously.

The witch departed soon afterwards, promising to return in seven years, which she did. The next time that she left, she promised to return in 107 years, in 1935. The year came and went without an incident though. Some believe that the Bell Witch still resides in Adams, Tennessee. There are also claims that the Bell Witch still haunts the area on the property once owned by the Bells. On that land is a cave, which has since become known as the [[Bell Witch Cave]]. Guided tours are available to the public at certain times of the year.

Another possibility is for [[overt]], [[uniformed security forces]] to kill the target, but often under circumstances that make it appear as [[self-defense]], such as by planting recently-fired weapons near his body, or [[fabricating evidence]] suggesting [[suicide by cop]]. In such cases, it can be surprisingly difficult to prove that the shooters acted wrongly. Because of the dangers inherent in any armed confrontation, even police or soldiers who would strongly, genuinely prefer to take their target alive may still kill him to protect themselves or civilians. Only in the most obvious cases, such as the [[Operation Flavius]] triple killing or the shooting of [[Jean Charles de Menezes]] will the authorities admit that [["kill or capture"]] was replaced with [["shoot on sight"]].

==Published accounts==

Extrajudicial punishment is a typical feature of [[totalitarianism|totalitarian]] and other [[political repression|politically repressive]] regimes using [[death squad]]s for this purpose, but even self-proclaimed or internationally recognized [[democracies]] have been known to use extrajudicial punishment under certain circumstances. In some cases, extrajudicial punishment may be planned and carried out [[covertly]] by a particular branch of a state and its specific agents, without previously informing other sectors or even without having been secretly ordered to commit such acts. The other branches of the state can tacitly approve of it after the fact, but they can also directly disagree with it depending on the circumstances, especially when complex intragovernment or internal policy struggles exist within a state's policymaking apparatus.

The earliest written account is in the ''[[Goodspeed History of Tennessee]]'' published in [[1886]]. No author is given, although [[Albert Virgil Goodpasture]] (1855-1942) is a suspected author. Page 833 reads:

In times of [[war]], [[natural disaster]], [[societal collapse]], or in the absence of an established system of [[criminal justice]], there may be an increased incidence of extrajudicial punishment. In such [[extreme circumstances]], police or military personnel may be authorised to [[summary execution|summarily execute]] individuals involved in [[rioting]], [[looting]] or [[violent acts]], especially if caught '' [[in flagrante delicto]]''.

<blockquote>A remarkable occurrence, which attracted widespread interest, was connected with the family of John Bell, who settled near what is now Adams Station about 1804. So great was the excitement that people came from hundreds of miles around to witness the manifestations of what was popularly known as the "Bell Witch." This witch was supposed to be some spiritual being having the voice and attributes of a woman. It was invisible to the eye, yet it would hold conversation and even shake hands with certain individuals. The freaks if performed were wonderful and seemingly designed to annoy the family. It would take the sugar from the bowls, spill the milk, take the quilts from the beds, slap and pinch the children, and then laugh at the discomfiture of its victims. At first it was supposed to be a good spirit, but its subsequent acts, together with the curses with which it supplemented its remarks, proved the contrary. A volume might be written concerning the performance of this wonderful being, as they are now described by contemporaries and their descendants. That all this actually occurred will not be disputed, nor will a rational explanation be attempted. It is merely introduced as an example of superstition, strong in the minds of all but a few in those times, and yet not wholly extinct.</blockquote>

A [[forced disappearance|"disappearance"]] occurs where someone who is believed to have been targeted for [[extrajudicial execution]] does not reappear alive. Their ultimate fate is thereafter unknown or never fully confirmed.

The most famous account is the ''Red Book'', the [[1894]] ''An Authenticated History of the Bell Witch of Tennessee'' by [[Martin Van Buren Ingram]] (said to be based on the earlier ''Richard William Bell's Diary: Our Family Trouble'') who lists the following people as witnesses:

*General Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the US

*Joel Thomas Bell, son of John Bell, Jr.

*Rev. Joshua Featheton

*Dr. J.T. Mathews

*Mr. E. Newton

*R.H. Pickering

*J. Gunn

*D. T. Porter

*J.I Holman

*Wm Wall

*W.H. Gardner

==Around the world==

The ''Black Book'' was written much later, and published in 1934 by Dr. [[Charles Bailey Bell]] great-grandson of John Bell.

See [[NKVD troika]] and [[Special Council of the NKVD]] for examples from the history of the Soviet Union , where extrajudicial punishment "[[by administrative means]]" was part of the state policy. Most Latin American dictatorships have regularly instituted extrajudicial killings of their enemies; for one of the better-known examples, see ''[[Operation Condor]].''

<ref> http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3821/is_200610/ai_n17195860 </ref>

Some consider the killing of [[Black Panther Party|Black Panther]] [[Fred Hampton]] to have been an extrajudicial killing ordered by the [[United States]] government. Also, the U.S. has been accused of exercising a covert prison system set up by the [[CIA]] in several countries, especially [[Egypt]], to evade [[U.S. jurisdiction]]. <ref> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/01/AR2005110101644.html </ref> The deaths of the leaders of the leftist urban guerilla group Red Army Faction [[Ulrike Meinhof]], [[Andreas Baader]], [[Gudrun Ensslin]], and [[Jan-Carl Raspe]] is by some regarded as extrajudicial killings, a theory partly based on the testimony of [[Irmgard Möller]] .

The government of Israel has also been accused of carrying out extrajudicial killings, which they term "targeted assassinations," against leaders of organisations involved in carrying out attacks against Israel. The Israeli government and its defenders, however, consider these people to be [[enemy combatant]]s and not [[civilians]]; claiming they are legitimate military targets as per the [[Laws of war|rules of engagement]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}}

The ''[[Guidebook for Tennessee]]'', published by the US Govt [[Works Project Administration]] in 1939 also contains an account that differs from Ingram's on pages 392-393.

During the [[apartheid]] years [[South Africa|South Africa's]] security forces were also accused of using extra-judicial means to deal with their political opponents. After his release, [[Nelson Mandela]] would refer to these acts as proof of a [[Third force (South Africa)|Third Force]] . This was denied vehemently by the administration of [[F.W. de Klerk]]. Later the [[South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission]], led by Archbishop [[Desmond Tutu]] would find that both military and police agencies such as the [[Civil Cooperation Bureau]] and [[C10]] based at [[Vlakplaas]] were guilty off gross [[human rights violations]]. This led the [[International Criminal Court]] to declare apartheid a [[crime against humanity]].

==In folklore==

In [[folklore]], it is said that one can make the [[ghost]] or [[witch]] of the same name appear in a [[mirror]] when summoned. One of the more common ways participants attempt to make her appear is to stand before a mirror in the dark at midnight and repeat the phrase "I hate the Bell Witch" three times, though there are some variations. It is said once you have summoned The Bell Witch you will awake the next morning with fingernail scratches on your cheek. This is very similar to another ritual that is said to summon the ghost of [[Bloody Mary (person)|Bloody Mary]]. Similar rituals are used to summon spirits in the movies ''[[Beetlejuice]]'' ([[1988]]) and ''[[Candyman (film)|Candyman]]'' ([[1992]]). The game is often a test of courage.

==Extra-judicial killings==

==Skeptical view==

An investigation by the Middle Tennessee Skeptics concluded that the tale of the Bell Witch is largely an invention founded entirely on later elaborations of the diary of Richard William Bell. Bell's diary was written some 30 years after the events they purport to describe, which took place when the author was a child of 5-10 years old. The investigation turned up no evidence that any of the other alleged participants in the events ever recorded anything of their experiences. In particular, there is no record in Andrew Jackson's journals of his ever having visited the Bells, or of any encounter by him with a supernatural being.

:''For extrajudicial executions see also [[Assassination]] ''

==Movies==

On [[May 5]], [[2006]] a film based on the events of the Bell Witch legend, titled ''[[An American Haunting]]'', will be released. ''An American Haunting'' is an American thriller written and directed by [[Courtney Solomon]]. It stars [[Donald Sutherland]], [[Sissy Spacek]], [[Rachel Hurd-Wood]] and [[James D'Arcy]].

Extrajudicial killings are the illegal killing of leading political, trades union, dissident and/or social figures by either the state government, [[state authorities]] like the armed forces and police (as in [[Liberia]] under [[Charles G. Taylor]] ), or by [[criminal outfits]] like the [[Italian]] [[Mafia]].

[http://www.thebellwitchhaunting.com "The Bell Witch Haunting"] is a 2004 film made by Willing Hearts Productions. Filmed near the original ___location, the director claims on the page to have encountered production difficulties such as fires and thinks the Bell entity responsible.

Extrajudicial killings and [[death squads]] are most common in the Middle East (mostly in Palestine and [[Iraq]]) <ref> http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=FUL20051124&articleId=1315 </ref> <ref> http://www.electronicintifada.net/bytopic/extrajudicial-killings.shtml </ref> <ref> http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engamr510792005 </ref> <ref> http://www.brusselstribunal.org/FullerKillings.htm </ref> <ref> http://soccerdad.baltiblogs.com/archives/2007/06/24/extrajudicial_killings_hamas_style.html </ref>, Central America<ref>http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/US_ThirdWorld/deathsquads_ElSal.html</ref>

<ref>http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR290151996?open&of=ENG-SLV</ref>

<ref>http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/publications/elsalvador2/index.html</ref> , [[Afghanistan]], [[Bangladesh]] <ref> http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48723123_world_bangladesh_release_journalist_and_rights_activist </ref>

, [[India]] and Kashmir <ref> http://usa.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/44302 </ref>

<ref> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6367917.stm </ref>

<ref> http://www.gharib.demon.co.uk/reports/ustates.htm </ref>

<ref> http://sangam.org/taraki/articles/2006/09-19_Extrajudicial_Killings.php?uid=1954 </ref> <ref> http://www.tamilnation.org/intframe/us/060529ustamils.htm </ref>

<ref> http://www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/hrfeatures/HRF71.htm </ref> several nations or regions in [[Equatorial Africa]]<ref>http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/30001/story.htm</ref>

, many parts of [[South America]] <ref> http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR190082007 </ref>, [[Chechnya]] , <ref> http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article2293482.ece </ref>, [[Russia]]<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6163502.stm</ref>

, [[Uzbekistan]], [[North Ossetia]], parts of [[Thailand]] <ref> http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2003/407/ </ref>

<ref> http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=11686 </ref> and in the [[Philippines]] <ref> http://www.pinoyhr.net/ </ref> <ref> http://hrw.org/reports/2007/philippines0607/ </ref> <ref> http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2692483.ece} </ref> <ref> http://www.radiopinoyusa.com/radiopinoy_news.php?id=NEWS-00592} </ref>

<ref> http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07271.htm </ref> <ref> http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=11686 </ref>.

The 3 different modern examples are listed in the sub-headings below, along with the 'Cold War' to help to illustrate the point.

===Cold war usage===

[[Image:Nguyen.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[General]] [[Nguyễn Ngọc Loan]] summarily executes [[Nguyễn Văn Lém]].]]

The former [[Soviet Union]] and [[Communist Bloc]] country used to also killed dissidents this way to, during the [[Cold War]]. Those who were not killed were sent to '[[Gulag]]' prison camps.

[[Nguyễn Văn Lém ]] (referred to as Captain Bay Lop) (died 1 [[February 1968]] in Saigon ) was a member of the [[Viet Cong]] who was summarily executed in [[Saigon]] during the [[Tet Offensive]]. The picture of his death would became one of may an anti- [[Vietnam War]] icons in the [[Western World]]. <ref> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nguy%E1%BB%85n_V%C4%83n_L%C3%A9m </ref>

During the 1960s throughout the 1970s death squads were used against the [[Viet Cong]] cadre as well as supporters in neighbouring countries notably [[Cambodia]]. See also [[Phoenix Program]] (also known as Phung Hoang). The [[Viet Cong]] also used death squads of their own against civilians for political reasons. {{Facts|date=February 2007}}

The use of computers by the American forces to compile lists of 'suspects' as well as the indefinite detention of 'suspects' in 'black' locations as well as their detention, torture, and execution without judicial oversight or protection is typical of American [[black ops]] in the Post World War II era.

[[Argentina]] used extrajudicial killings as way of crushing the [[liberal]] and [[communist]] opposition to the military [[Junta]] during the '[[Dirty war]]' <ref> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_War </ref> of the late [[1960's]] and most of the [[1970's]]. The [[Chilean]] Junta of [[1972]] to [[1992]] also committed such killings to. See [[Operation Condor]] for examples.

Also during the [[Communist]] versus [[Capitalist]] [[Salvadoran civil war]], death squads achieved notoriety when [[far-right]] [[vigilantes]] [[assassinated]] [[Archbishop Óscar Romero]] for his social activism in [[March 1980]]. In [[December 1980]], three [[United States|American]] [[nuns]] and a lay worker were raped and murdered by a [[military unit]] later found to have been acting on specific orders. [[Death squads]] were instrumental in killing hundreds of peasants and activists. Because the death squads involved were found to have been soldiers of the [[Salvadoran military]], which was receiving U.S. funding and training from American advisers during the Carter administration. <ref> http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/US_ThirdWorld/deathsquads_ElSal.html</ref>During the [[El Salvador Civil War|Salvadoran civil war]], death squads achieved notoriety when far-right vigilantes assassinated Archbishop [[Óscar Romero]] for his social activism in March 1980 . In December 1980, three American nuns and a lay worker were raped and murdered by a military unit later found to have been acting on specific orders. Death squads were instrumental in killing hundreds of peasants and activists. Because the death squads involved were found to have been soldiers of the Salvadoran military, which was receiving U.S. funding and training from American advisors during the [[Jimmy Carter|Carter]] administration, these events prompted outrage in the U.S. and led to a temporary cutoff in military aid from the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] administration.

One of the earliest cases of extradudical killings was in Wiemar [[Germany]] <ref> http://econ161.berkeley.edu/movable_type/2003_archives/001832.html </ref>.

===Middle east===

The [[Israeli intelligence]] and [[Hamas]] [[Militants]] have been in a steady war of attrition with each other, regularly killing local officials since the [[Fatah]] / Hamas [[civil war]] began in early [[2007]]. [[Iraq]] has also suffered badly since the post-invasion insurgency of [[2005]].

===Philippines===

Death squads were especially active in this country during the American invasion of the [[1950s]] and the regime in the 1980s; they continue to be active as of 2007.

The [[New People's Army]] ('''NPA''') groups known as "[[Sparrow Units]]" were active in the mid-1980s, killing government officials, police personnel, military members, and anyone else they targeted for elimination. They were also supposedly part of an NPA operation called "[[Agaw Armas]]" ([[Filipino]] for "[[Stealing Weapons]]

"), where they raided government armories as well as stealing weapons from slain military and police personnel. A low level [[civil war]] with south [[Moslems]], [[Al-Qaeda]] sympathizers and [[communist]] insurgents has lead to a general break down of [[law and order]]. The [[Politics_of_the_Philippines#National_Government_of_the_Philippines|Philippines government]] has promised to curb the killings, but is itself implicated in many of the killings. <ref>http://www.pinoyhr.net/</ref>

====Extrajudicial Killings Summit====

The 22nd [[PUNO Supreme Court]] is set to hold a [[National Consultative Summit on extrajudicial killings]] on July 16 and 17, [[2007]] at the [[Manila Hotel]]. Invited representatives from the three branches of the government will participate (including the [[AFP]], the [[PNP]], [[CHR]], [[media]], [[academe]], [[civil society]] and [[other stakeholders]]).

[[Puno]] will give the [[keynote speech]] and [[closing remarks]]. [[Puno]] searches for major solutions to solve forced disappearances.

During the first day of the summit, the speakers will present their respective papers comprising significant inputs from their respective sectors, while on the second day, the participants will break out into 12 groups (chaired by a Justice) and take part in a workshop. Local and international observers (the diplomatic corps and representatives from various international organizations) will be accredited.

Puno announced that "the summit highlight will be a plenary session where each of the 12 groups shall report to the body their recommended resolutions. The reports and proposals will be synthesized and then transmitted to the concerned government agencies for appropriate action".

The earlier slated [[Malacañang]]-sponsored "Mindanao Peace and Security Summit (July 8-10, 2007 at Cagayan de Oro City), focussed on how to make the anti-terror law, or the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007, more acceptable to the public. <ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=75094 Inquirer.net, SC slates summit on extrajudicial killings]</ref><ref>[http://www.gmanews.tv/story/49959/SC-slates-summit-on-extrajudicial-killings GMA NEWS.TV, Chief Justice unfazed by Palace meet]</ref>

On July 16, 2007, Justices, activists, militant leaders, police officials, politicians and prelates attended the Supreme Court's two-day summit at the Manila Hotel in [[Manila City]] to map out ways to put an end to the string of extrajudicial killings in the [[Philippines]]. Bayan was set to launch their "[[silent protest]]", but expressed support for the high court's initiative. Director Geary Barias, chief of the police's anti-killings Task Force Usig, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, [[Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim]], Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Yñiguez, re-elected party-list Representatives Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna) and Crispin Beltran (Anakpawis) attended. Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno said that the "National Consultative Summit on Extrajudicial Killings and Forced Disappearances: Searching for Solutions," would help stop the murders. Delegates were given 12 to 15 minutes each to share their insights and knowledge about the matter. Yniguez accused the government of failing to actively pursue investigations on the hundreds of killings and the Catholic Church was alarmed that victims have been denied their "fundamental right" to live.

Based on Yniguez-church's count, the number of victims of extrajudicial killings has reached 778, while survivors of "political assassinations," was pegged at 370. He also noted 203 "massacre" victims, 186 people who involuntarily disappeared, 502 tortured, and others who were illegally arrested. Yniguez similarly criticized the government's alleged insistence on implementing its Oplan Bantay Laya I and II (the military's counter-insurgency operation plans which militants have said consider legal people's organizations as targets).

Meanwhile, Bayan urged the Supreme Court to "check serious threats to civil liberties and basic freedoms" including the anti-terror law or the Human Security Act of 2007, which took effect on July 15 despite protests from leftist groups.

Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. will join Bayan and other leftist groups as petitioners in their formal pleading before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the law. Human rights lawyer Atty. Edre Olalia of the International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL) will serve as lead counsel. Bayan chair Carol Araullo said the respondents will include members of the Anti-Terrorism Council headed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Raul Gonzalez. Earlier, [CBCP president Angel Lagdameo] pointed out at least 5 provisions of the law that may threaten civil liberties: Sec. 19 allows detentions of mere suspects for more than three days in the event of an actual or terrorist attack, while Section 26 allows house arrest despite the posting of bail, and prohibits the right to travel and to communicate with others; Sec. 39 allows seizure of assets while Sec. 7 allows surveillance and wiretapping of suspects; Sec. 26 allows the investigation of bank deposits and other assets. <ref>[http://www.gmanews.tv/story/51197/Justices-activists-prelates-map-out-ways-to-end-killings GMA NEWS.TV, Justices, activists, prelates map out ways to end killings]</ref>

===United Kingdom (UK)===

In [[Northern Ireland]], various [[paramilitary]], [[terrorist]], [[quasi-political]], [[pseudo-religious]], and ''ad hoc'' state institutions killed without lawful excuse during [[The Troubles]].

<ref> http://www.btinternet.com/~chief.gnome/gordon16.htm </ref>

<ref> http://www.hrw.org/reports/1993/WR93/Hsw-09.htm </ref> <ref> http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/24/Opinion/A_grim_lesson_from_Ul.shtml </ref> <ref> http://naclaoimhtesolais.com/Reject%20The%20PSNI.htm </ref>

In [[England]] ''ad hoc'' [[racist]] and [[criminal]] [[gangs]] are also believed to behind most of the recent [[racist]] and [[Black-on-Black urban killings]]. The British state has apparently paid little attention to either the problems of [[gangland]] or [[racist killing]]s in the UK. <ref> http://customxml.com/rssnews/index.php?blog=3&title=damilola_killer_loses_attempt_to_quash_c&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 </ref> <ref> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2773771.stm </ref>

<ref> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1792334.stm </ref>

<ref> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4791094.stm </ref>

<ref> http://kcl.ac.uk/phpnews/wmview.php?ArtID=982 </ref>

== Human rights groups==

Many [[human rights]] organisations like [[Amnesty International]] along with the [[UN]] are campaigning against extrajudicial punishment . <ref>

http://www.extrajudicialexecutions.org/ </ref>

<ref> http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=22046&Cr=rights&Cr1=council </ref>

<ref>http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR290151996?open&of=ENG-SLV</ref>

<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6814001/site/newsweek/</ref>

<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6802629/site/newsweek/</ref>

==In popular culture==

The subject of extrajudicial punishment was examined in the stage play and subsequent film '' [[A Few Good Men]] ''. In this film, two marines are put on trial for the death of another marine due to their administering of a ''[[Code Red]]'' (a [[military colloquial speech]] term for [[extrajudicial punishment]]) on him. The [[film]] sees the [[U.S. Marines]] acquitted of the crime, as it is shown that they were [[acting under orders from their superiors]], and therefore [[could not be held responsible for the consequences]].

== See also ==

* [[Assassination]]

* [[Death squad]]

* [[Extraordinary rendition]]

* [[Lynching]]

* [[Outlaw]]

* [[Human rights]]

* [[Summary execution]]

* [[Posse]]

* [[Prison rape]]

* [[Selective assassination]]

* [[Summary execution]]

* [[Summary justice]]

* [[Terrorism]]

* [[Vigilante]]

''[[Bell Witch: The Movie]]'' was another fictionalised account of the Bell Witch that was released on [[September 24]], [[2005]]. This independent, low budget movie failed to make much of an impact.

==External links==

===Monitoring organizations===

* [http://www.bellwitch.org/ The Bell Witch] - Site owned by researcher Pat Fitzhugh.

*[[Amnesty International]]

* [http://bellwitch02.tripod.com/ The Bell Witch of Tennessee]

*[http://www.ansarburney.org/ Ansar Burney Trust] (Pakistan and the Middle East)

* [http://bellwitch02.tripod.com/the_red_book.htm Electronic version of the 'Red Book']

*[[Human Rights Watch]]

* [http://www.prairieghosts.com/b-cave.html Prairie Ghosts - The Bell Witch]

* [http://www.bellwitchthemovie.com/ Bell Witch: The Movie] - A fictionalised account of the Bell Witch legend.

* [http://www.thebellwitchhaunting.com/ The Bell Witch Haunting] - A 2004 DVD movie.

* [http://www.anamericanhauntingmovie.co.uk/ An American Haunting] - A big budget feature being distributed by Lions Gate Films

====Skeptical Articles====

==References==

* [http://mtskeptics.homestead.com/BellWitch.html The Bell Witch Project] - An investigation by the Middle Tennessee Skeptics.

<references/>

[[Category:ParanormalCapital phenomenapunishment]]

[[Category:Criminal law]]

[[Category:Human rights abuses]]

{{Category:Extrajudicial killings}}