In a striking revelation at the Human Rights Council, UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned the alarming rise in global executions. He argued that while nations may claim the death penalty falls under their sovereignty, it fundamentally conflicts with the essence of human dignity and the right to life. Türk declared the practice outdated for the modern era and highlighted countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the USA as the top executioners.
Recent UN data presents a grim picture, reporting 1,153 executions across 16 countries in 2023—a startling 31% increase from the previous year, marking the highest rate in eight years. This surge follows a jaw-dropping 53% rise in executions between 2021 and 2022. Notably absent are transparent statistics from China, which Türk urged to reconsider its approach and align with global abolition trends.
Despite the alarming increase, a glimmer of hope emerges as more nations move toward abolishing the death penalty, particularly in the Global South. Currently, 113 countries have entirely eradicated the practice, including Zimbabwe, where Governor Emmerson Mnangagwa has enacted laws to cease executions by the end of 2024, alongside a further 26 African nations.
Crucial to this shift are judicial reforms allowing for commutation of death sentences. Nations like Malawi and Malaysia are already seeing fewer death sentences as a result, as Türk calls for concerted global efforts to uphold fair trials and safeguard against wrongful convictions. He advocates for an overall abolition of capital punishment, urging for moratoriums and limited application only to the gravest crimes.
The conversation at the Council also featured remarks from Zimbabwe’s Attorney General Virginia Mabiza. Reflecting on the legacy of colonial rule, she noted that the death penalty has persisted beyond the country’s independence. Despite historical support for capital punishment, no executions have occurred since 2005, largely due to progressive policy changes and judicial discretion.
Mabiza explained that the range of crimes punishable by death has narrowed significantly over the years, culminating in 2013 where only murder could result in such a sentence. This shift aligns with UN efforts to decrease death penalty applicability, with the Supreme Court increasingly ruling that capital punishment can violate human rights, leading to numerous sentences being converted to life imprisonment.
The UN’s Volker Türk lamented a concerning increase in death penalty executions worldwide, with 1,153 recorded in 2023—a 31% spike from 2022. Despite this, a growing number of countries, particularly in the Global South, are abolishing the practice. Zimbabwe is set to end executions in 2024, showcasing a shift towards judicial reform and humane alternatives. Türk calls for global unity in abolishing capital punishment and ensuring fair trials.
The rise in executions challenges the very fabric of human rights, as highlighted by Volker Türk’s impassioned plea for a global movement towards abolition of the death penalty. With nations like Zimbabwe taking significant steps away from capital punishment, a broader reevaluation of judicial practices is essential to uphold human dignity and protect against wrongful convictions. Therefore, fostering dialogues on these critical issues will shape a more humane approach to justice.
Original Source: news.un.org
