The call to abolish the death penalty echoed loudly during the recent Human Rights Council meeting, where the UN rights chief, Volker Türk, highlighted a troubling rise in executions worldwide. He asserted that the death penalty contradicts principles of human dignity and the right to life, reminding Member States that many countries defend it as a matter of national sovereignty. Yet, he firmly stated, “The punishment had no place in the 21st century.”
Türk revealed alarming statistics: in 2023, 1,153 executions transpired across 16 nations, marking a staggering 31 per cent increase from the previous year, the highest rate seen in eight years. Particularly worrying was the upward trajectory following a 53 per cent rise from 2021 to 2022. He lamented the lack of transparency concerning China’s death penalty practices, urging its authorities to align with global abolition trends.
The UN chief pointed out that drug-related offences, despite not qualifying as the “most serious crimes” as per international human rights laws, accounted for over 40 per cent of recent executions, predominantly in Iran. However, amidst this grim reality, a glimmer of hope shines through as more nations, especially in the Global South, embrace abolition, bringing the total to 113 countries, including Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s Attorney General, Virginia Mabiza, highlighted how colonial-era death penalty laws lingered long after independence. Despite public opinion favouring retention back in 1999, executions ceased post-2005, courtesy of policy shifts and judicial discretion. She noted the dramatic reduction in offences punishable by death, demonstrating progress in aligning with UN recommendations.
Mabiza further explained that the Supreme Court in Harare has often ruled the death penalty a violation of human rights, resulting in many sentences being commuted to life imprisonment. Emphasising the importance of judicial reform, High Commissioner Türk stressed that nations should work towards abolishing the death penalty entirely, advocating moratoriums while reserving it solely for the most serious of crimes.
Volker Türk, UN rights chief, condemned the significant rise in global executions, revealing a 31% increase in 2023. He highlighted the persistent use of the death penalty for non-serious crimes and underscored the need for abolition led by countries in the Global South. Zimbabwe’s successful policy changes illustrate the potential for judicial reform to reduce executions, as calls for global moratoriums gain momentum.
In summary, the UN rights chief has raised urgent concerns regarding the alarming rise in global executions, urging nations to rethink the death penalty’s role in modern society. Through judicial reforms and diplomatic efforts, a growing number of countries are moving towards abolition, highlighting a shift in public and legal perspectives about capital punishment. Ultimately, the international community is called to champion human dignity and strive for a world devoid of the death penalty.
Original Source: news.un.org
