Against the Death Penalty

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Recommended: universal declaration of human rights article 3

The Death Penalty Human rights are fundamental rights which every human being is entitled to just because they are human. The death penalty is the ultimate, irreversible denial of human rights. It is the cold blooded killing of a human being in the name of ‘justice’. In 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; in Articles 3 and 5 it states that “no one shall be subjected to cruel or degrading punishment and everyone has the right to life and liberty”. The death penalty violates both of these fundamental rights. The United Nations Rights Commission (UNHRC) has passed a resolution calling for all nations that continue executions, to restrict the number of offenses for which the death penalty may be imposed and to suspend executions with a view towards abolishing the death penalty. While most nations have abolished the death penalty in law or practice, the US is one of few industrialized countries in the world which continues to execute criminals. The US accounts for the highest number of executions; 65 people were executed in 2003, bringing a total of 885 prisoners put to death since the US Supreme Court lifted a moratorium on executions in 1976. In the US, the death penalty is often promoted as a way to deter violence and make society safer. Yet, states with the death penalty have consistently had a much higher rate than those without the death penalty. Those who promote abolition of capital punishment often point to the homicide rate as evidence that the death penalty is ineffective. Those who support the death penalty often point out that the death penalty is badly needed in their sta... ... middle of paper ... ...olations and hold abusers accountable. They challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law. Conclusion: The death penalty legitimizes an irreversible act of violence by the state, in which many victims are later found innocent. In my opinion, killing a murderer does not bring his victims back to life; it achieves nothing but the death of another person. It only serves to create more victims and continues the cycle of violence. No ones life should be placed under another person’s authority nor should anyone have the power to determine whether a person shall die. The US should be protecting their citizens and have other alternative measures, such as life imprisonment; to ensure that international laws and human rights are not being violated.

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