Week Three - Why the Death Penalty is Wrong

Question 1

Why is the Death Penalty Wrong?

Answer 1

Denial of human rights

Its irreversible and mistake happen

Does not deter crime

Often used within skewed justice systems

Discriminatory

Used as a political tool

Question 2

Denial of human rights..

Answer 2

Sentencing someone to death denies them the right to life - enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Question 3

Its irreversible and mistake happen..

Answer 3

Execution is the ultimate, irrevocable punishment the risk of executing an innocent person can never be eliminated. Since 1973, for example, 150 US prisoners sent to death row have later been exonerated. Others have been executed despite serious doubts about their guilt

Question 4

Does not deter crime..

Answer 4

Countries who execute commonly cite the death penalty as a way to deter people from committing crime. This claim has been repeatedly discredited, and there is no evidence that the death penalty is any more effective in reducing crime than imprisonment

Question 5

Often used within skewed justice systems…

Answer 5

Some of the counties executing the most people have unfair legal systems. The ‘top’ three executing countries are China, Iran and Iraq which have issued death sentences after unfair trials. Many death sentences are issued after ‘confessions’ that have been obtained through torture

Question 6

Discriminatory..

Answer 6

You are more likely to be sentenced to death if you are poor or belong to a racial, ethnic or religious minority because of discrimination in the Criminal Justice System

Question 7

Used as a political tool…

Answer 7

The authorities in some countries, for example, Iran and Sudan use the death penalty to punish political opponents