Are Death Penalties Moral?

Today, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) debated on the subject of whether Capital Punishment is moral or not. While many believe that it is essential because of unique circumstances such as overcrowding, like the Delegation of India effectively mentioned, others state that they  have abolished the death penalties, like the Delegation of Australia who mentioned that they have entirely abolished Capital Punishment in 2008.  

Such a topic has become an ethical dilemma, on whether they should be enacted or not with both beliefs being recognized. The Delegation of India has stated that they stand strongly on human rights as they are Democratic and Liberal, however in cases of overcrowding prisons, they have a few laws that allow Capital Punishment. For example, they mentioned that Sexual Assault towards children 12 and younger are given Capital Punishment. Also, they mention that mass murder may be the death penalty or life in prison. The delegate discusses that the death penalty is not India’s optimal solution but is needed in overcrowded prisons as they do not contain the funds or good infrastructure to develop more advanced prisons.  

While they do believe that in some circumstances it should be enacted, it is not just nor is it ethical, however, they mentioned if a person is convicted with being a serial killer and  with rape, the death penalty is required. Of course, depending on the conviction and the prison standards, it varies per country. 

On the contrary, many, such as Amnesty International, believe that the Death Penalty breaches one’s human rights and is inhumane. They believe that the death penalty does not significantly reduce or deter crime and that the risk of executing an innocent person can never be eliminated. They mention an example in 1973 where 197 people were sent to the death row but later released on grounds of innocence.

Also, the Delegation of Argentina stated that according to their policy, from 1984. They had abolished the death penalties for some crimes, but in 2008, they completely abolished it. Argentina’s stand on this topic is entirely liberal and supportive of human rights. With regards to morality, they believe that it depends on the country, however in Argentina it is not ethical for any and all crimes as they value everyone's rights. They believe an alternative is the life sentence.

While the morality of the death sentence varies per country and religious belief, several alternatives and solutions have been made by several organizations to minimize the Death Penalty as it can generally breach one’s human rights. Amnesty, has mentioned that they have been campaigning to remove the penalty and monitor its use in different states and hold those accountable on the usage of Capital Punishment. Furthermore, they advocate the removal of the death penalty in several other nations across the globe such as the Middle East or North Africa (MENA) to protect one’s Human Rights.