Canada (Commonwealth Union)_ The 20th World Day Against the Death Penalty is being observed today by several human rights organizations around the world. It is a day to commemorate as nearly 150 nations throughout the world have already eliminated the death penalty, which means they have either legally done away with the death penalty or have not carried out any executions in a long time. On the occasion of the World Day against the Death Penalty, the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe reaffirm their unwavering opposition to the death penalty at all times, in all locations, and under all conditions.
This year commemorates the 20th anniversary of the applicable Protocol 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the complete eradication of the death penalty. The EU applauded all Council of Europe member nations, including all EU member states that have banned the death penalty under all circumstances, and urged the final two Council of Europe member states, Armenia and Azerbaijan, to adopt this protocol without delay.
The continuous global drop in the number of jurisdictions currently employing the death sentence shows the global trend away from this painful, inhumane, and ineffective punishment. However, in 2021, a minority of 18 governments, or nine percent of all UN member states, still carried out death penalties. As a first measure toward eliminating the death penalty, the EU demands that these governments impose a moratorium on the death sentence.
“The EU and the Council of Europe strongly condemn the death sentences recently issued in the occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk. We stress that these sentences were incompatible with both European human-rights law and international law, including the Geneva Conventions, and welcome, with relief, the release of the sentenced individuals,” read the statement issued by the EU. The death penalty undoubtedly involves cruel and humiliating treatment. Death row adds to a person’s long-term physical and psychological deterioration of health. According to the European Court of Human Rights ruling, the mental trauma of awaiting execution and the use of violent means of execution are against Article 3 of the ECHR.
