Capital Punishment and its Controversies

Capital punishment uses death penalty as a form of punishment in many states and countries. It is a practice that has raised endless questions all over the world. Capital punishment or death penalty policy has changed in many countries overtime. Countries such as, New Australia, Zealand and 15 states in the US do not have capital punishment. One of the major concerns arising with capital punishment is because it causes ending of a human life. People and organizations of different backgrounds are not pleased with the practice because it undermines humanity. Society being mixed of different people there are different opinions. Some people argue that it is effective while others condemn it because it oppresses the less fortunate and the poor in the society. Notably, “a good number of Americans with a background of human rights argue that the practice is a vice that costs the lives of innocent people. They term it as a violation of right to life guaranteed in the ICCPR and ECHR” (Shin, 2007, p. 14). On the hand, those in favor of the practice argue that it contributes in curbing many evils in the society. When it comes to physical punishment and executions, there is no limit to man’s imagination. Crucifixion of Jesus is a good example which is undoubtedly among the worst forms of execution. Similar examples of cases of execution include Socrates and other influential people in Roman Empire where thousands of criminals and slaves were killed to the delight of spectators. “I assume that from the examples given, capital punishment is a wrong act that goes against human rights. It is the ultimate denial of human rights although it is done in the name of justice. It is a practice that achieves a cycle of violence and violates fundamental ...

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