World Day against the Death Penalty - What do You Think?

Tuesday 02 October 07

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is the execution of a convicted criminal by the state as punishment for a crime. The human rights advocates, who are against the death penalty, claim it is a violation of human rights and a threat against human dignity, since it takes human life. They add that no one has the right to kill and/or murder anybody, as the right to life is a core human rights value.

One of the human rights unions, World Coalition against the Death Penalty, brings together all those committed to the universal abolition of capital punishment. "Death sentences and executions should be abolished" they state, "since this will not lead to a rise in crime".

They also give some facts on the death penalty, stating that "during 2006 at least 1,591 prisoners were executed in 25 countries and 3,861 people were sentenced to death in 55 countries, but the actual number is probably higher", as expressed on their website.

Out of 130 countries - 90 have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, and 10 have done so for all crimes except extraordinary crimes and the remaining 30 are in fact abolitionists- have abolished the death penalty by law or in practice. However, 69 countries and territories still uphold the death penalty and use this punishment. The Coalition cites some facts and figures on the methods of the execution; for example, decapitation in Saudi Arabia, electrocution in the United States, lethal injection in China and stoning in Iran.

What is The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty?

It is an alliance of about 60 non-governmental organizations, legal associations, local bodies and unions, and has launched a campaign to strengthen the international dimension of the struggle against capital punishment.

The campaign, called the World Day against the Death Penalty, which will be held on October 10th, 2007, will focus on the proposed UN General Assembly resolution for a universal suspension on executions. "The proposal would save lives and give the population of states which still use capital punishment an opportunity to see for themselves that an end to death sentences does not lead to higher crime rates".

For detailed information about the world coalition, click here

To join the petition, click here