“The fact remains that it is practically impossible for States to impose the death penalty while meeting their obligations to respect the human rights of those convicted,” said the Special Rapporteur. and the UN said. torture expertAlice Edwards, and Morris Tidball-Binz, UN experts investigating extrajudicial and arbitrary executions.
They reflect the relationship between the death penalty and the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment,
‘The only possible path’
He argues that abolishing the death penalty is the “only viable path” for all countries.
They maintain the “phenomenon of death row inmates” long described as a form of inhumane treatment, as well as the near-total isolation of those convicted of crimes, who are subsequently imprisoned. illegal detention.
However, many States continue to apply the death penalty for nonviolent crimes such as blasphemy, adultery and drug-related crimes.
Under international law, all of these crimes fall short of the “most serious crime” standard for applying the death penalty.
Trends ‘deeply disturbing’
It was also marked as “deeply disturbing”, a growing trend towards the imposition of the death penalty against those exercising their right to peaceful political demonstration.
And increasingly, execution methods have been found to be inconsistent with the obligation to refrain from torture and ill-treatment, or not to cause severe pain and suffering.
Despite the fact that more than 170 States have abolished the death penalty or adopted incentives, last year saw a 20% increase in government sanctioned executions.
Exceptions should apply
States that retain the death penalty are encouraged to “judiciously apply exceptions” to persons with intellectual disabilities, pregnant women and children, as required by various instruments , including article six of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), said the Special Rapporteur.
“All States are invited to consider ratifying the Second Optional Protocol with the ICCPR for the abolition of the death penalty,” they added, noting that the Protocol currently has 40 signatories and 90 states. member family.
Special Rapporteur appointed by the UN in Geneva Dong Nhan Quyen Association arrive check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. The positions are honorary and professionals are not paid for their work.
