How The Death Penalty Violates Human Rights

Introduction

What comes to mind when you think controversial? One topic that comes to my mind is Capital Punishment, along with related topics such as abortion, gun control, and vaccines. Capital Punishment also known as the death penalty has been an ongoing controversial topic in history. Capital Punishment has always existed in various ways. It is also used in other countries other than just the United States. Individual that has an opinion on capital punishment usually have a strong stance of their side. Many advantages and disadvantages exist under this topic. A thorough analysis of the 'Death penalty violates human rights' essay must consider both its advantages and disadvantages, which have made it an ongoing controversial topic in history.

The pros and cons of both sides of the argument

Capital Punishment is the more humane way to say death penalty. This term according to deathpenalty.procon.org refers to “the planned killing of an individual by a government entity in response to a crime.” This punishment is only given when a crime is determined to be a safety threat to society and then is legally convicted of committing said crime. This Penalty is handed out for crimes as serious as murder, treason, espionage, drug trafficking, or attempted murder of a juror, court officer, or witness in the case. Research conducted in 2018, showed that every person sitting on death row had been convicted of aggravated murder or rape of a child. This proves that people sentenced to the death penalty have committed horrendous crimes and nothing less than.

There are several advantages to Capital Punishment. For an individual that has taken someone else’s life, the sentence to life in prison does not suffice. Capital Punishment is a way to reach as much equality as possible for what they have done to their victim(s). This does not mean two wrongs make a right, but it is a fair argument. The sentencing of an individual to the death penalty takes that violent criminal off the streets, out of society, preventing one less criminal from claiming more victims. Inflicting capital punishment will ensure the criminal has no possibility of parole or escaping. With no chance of return to society, this gives the victim(s) families complete closure and justice. The last advantage to capital punishment has to do with the increasing overpopulation in prisons. If the death penalty were implemented more often for serious crimes it would help prevent this overpopulation dilemma.

On the flip side, there are of course also disadvantages to Capital Punishment. One of the most debated over disadvantages is that when implemented, the death penalty violates human rights. Amnesty International Organization states that “The death penalty is the ultimate denial of human rights…It is the premeditated and cold-blooded killing of a human being by the state in the name of justice. It violates the right to life…” Another huge disadvantage is that the penalty could potentially execute an innocent individual. There are around five out of fourteen hundred cases that have ended in execution that was later found to have strong evidence of innocence after it was too late. Some things that have been linked to resulting in this is improper handling of evidence or lack of federal review. The cost of capital punishment leads to another disadvantage. Cases, where the death sentence is reached, are much more expensive than cases where other sentencings are given. The average cost of capital punishment is about 3.2 higher. Some may argue this is a waste of tax dollars, and that there are better things to spend it on.

The death penalty is not pursued in a brutal manner, in fact, the point of this penalty is for it to be carried out as quickly and peacefully as possible. The process includes a painless induced death by lethal injection. In previous U.S history, the forms of the death penalty that were inflicted included stoning, hanging, and electrocution. Many other countries still use these less “humane” ways to execute their criminals even today. The death penalty is only legal in 24 states in the U.S. Lethal injection is used to avoid violating the eighth amendment which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Lethal injection is the loophole to this because the initial drug given induces a state of unconsciousness where they can no longer register pain. When the injection is pursued it quickly slows their breathing and heartbeat to a stop. It is administered in three constant drips in both arms. The first of these is Sodium Thiopental, suppresses the central nervous system and numbs the body. Second is Pancuronium Bromide, this induces muscle paralysis. Lastly, Potassium Chloride, this is what causes the heart to stop beating. From start to finish it lasts approximately 8.4 minutes.

I personally can see both sides of this topic. Wherever you stand I respect you and your opinion, this is because I believe everyone has their own reasoning behind forming their opinions. Before researching this topic, I felt I did not have a clear understanding over the topic, therefore had not formed a solid opinion. Now after researching the topic, I think I have picked a stance. I do believe that capital punishment should be legal. I say this based off the information about crimes committed of those who sit on death row. I agree that if you commit rape of a child or take the life of another human being you deserve more than life in prison. Life in prison offers these individuals free food, shelter, and basic needs that these individuals do not deserve. I believe that Lethal Injection is the best way to give the family closure and justice that they deserve. I also think this is a good way to prevent overcrowding in prisons instead of letting criminals of lesser offenses back out on the streets without serving their complete time. My only conflict is with the possibility of executing an innocent person. The statistics of this happening are low but shouldn’t exist at all. I think if an individual is sentenced to death row, they should be undeniable without a doubt guilty of the crime they are accused of, and no hesitation should be present.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are strong arguments for both sides. There are several advantages that benefit society and victims’ families. Capital Punishment does keep criminals out of society preventing the victims they would seek if free and safe and solves our prison overpopulation problem. At the end of the day, it is the process of taking someone’s life, criminal or not, so that’s one huge disadvantage. People who have religious beliefs and morals that go against the death penalty, understandably so. Of course, no one wants to see an innocent individual executed, so this also is a disadvantage. I believe capital punishment should be legal, however, there should be adjustments made in the sentencing.