Human rights campaign group Amnesty International staged a mock execution yesterday morning to mark its 40th anniversary -- in full view of Hamilton-bound commuters.

"Sally'' or "Sarah Bassett'' was burnt at the stake at the foot of Crow Lane in 1730.

Bermuda Amnesty International Section Director LeYoni Junos said the mock execution of a figure of Sally highlighted the issues of the right to legal representation, the right to a fair trial, and the right to be free from torture and the death penalty.

All of these rights were violated in the "trial'' of Sally Bassett said Ms Junos.

Sally was a slave owned by blacksmith Francis Dickinson of Southampton parish.

In 1729 she was considered too old, and placed on the auction block.

She was accused of instructing her granddaughter Beck in the use of poisons to murder her owners.

However Sally was arrested on June 2, 1730, found guilty, and burned at the stake four days later, near the spot where Johnny Barnes has stood smiling every morning for the past decade and a half.

And Ms Junos said the case also illuminates the obligation of countries to abolish racist laws.

"Sally Bassett was tried under the Act for the Trying of Negroes and Slaves (1690).

"The fact is, if an organisation like Amnesty International had existed in 1730, Sally Bassett's case may have turned out quite differently.'' "These rights and obligations are still relevant today.'' Yesterday's stunt was staged as part of Amnesty's year long campaign "WOORC: Within Our Own Region and Country,'' to dispel the myth that Amnesty organisations can not do work in or on their own countries.

Ms Junos said: "The WOORC campaign is about education, about making connections to the past, and -- most importantly -- it is about looking at what changes still need to be made that are relevant to the local community.'' "WOORC is also about building the strength and effectiveness of the local section,'' said Ms Junos.

She added: "The challenge of the WOORC Campaign will be to show the local community just what the Bermuda section can do in the areas of promotion of international human rights treaties, and work toward the repeal of or amendment to offending legislation.'' Some highlights of the campaign will be: The launching of a Caribbean Region Group, which will highlight human rights violations in the region and their historic connections to Bermuda.

An Amnesty International Bermuda Section's 18th Anniversary highlight to be held in October. Those interested should call 296-3249 for further information.