Death Penalty
World Day Against the Death Penalty
Today is the fifth annual World Day Against the Death Penalty. Every October 10 for the past six years, abolitionists from across the globe rally to oppose capital punishment and enforce the idea that abolition is a global struggle. This year, the focus will be on abolition in Asia, where Amnesty International estimates that there were at least 644 reported executions in 2007.
Asia continues to lead the world in executions, with the vast majority of them taking place in China. While 27 nations in Asia have abolished capital punishment, 14 nations continue to carry out executions. In the process, defendants are frequently denied adequate representation. Furthermore, several countries, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, continue to impose the death penalty for crimes not involving murder, like adultery and consensual sex acts between adult members of the same sex. In Vietnam, 29 crimes are punishable by death, including nonviolent crimes such as embezzlement. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia executed juveniles in 2007.
In most of these instances, countries frequently do not disclose details about the application of the death penalty, creating an additional presumption of unfairness. This occurs in the face of a growing global trend toward abolition. Across the globe, death sentences - including those issued in Asia - are handed down less frequently. As of today, 137 nations have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice. Still, there is much work to be done in the abolitionist movement.
Thank you for your continued support and please keep helping us to work to end capital punishment in America.
JB
Comments: 2
http://www.robertbleckerwantsmedead.com
In the state of Florida alone, there are over 400 people residing on death row. Although some of them are awaiting retrial, once they have been given that second chance to prove themselves, and failed, they should not be given another chance, and another. Their sentence from that second point on should remain and be acted on quickly.
I do understand, one hundred percent, that their may be innocent people residing on death row. They, just like the others, deserve another chance in trial, but unfortunately, being in the wrong place at the wrong time is part of the deal.
The death row penalty should stand. It is an effective means of punishment. After the hearing of their second trial, the verdict should be completed. Too long do we let men sit on death row and we have to pay for every bit of their supplies and necessities.
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