Death Penalty Risks Irreversible Injustice, African Commission Warns

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has warned that the death penalty carries the risk of irreversible miscarriages of justice, discriminatory application and violations of fair trial guarantees, renewing its call for African states to suspend executions and move towards abolition.

In a statement marking the World Day Against the Death Penalty, observed this year under the theme “Humanising People Affected by the Death Penalty”, the Commission urged countries that retain capital punishment to commute existing death sentences and introduce reforms to abolish the practice.

The Commission said the death penalty raises concerns not only over the right to life but also over the treatment of people sentenced to death and the impact on their families. Those held on death row may endure harsh detention conditions, isolation and prolonged psychological distress associated with the prospect of execution.

Such conditions may raise concerns under the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Commission said. Families of those sentenced to death, particularly children, may also face stigma, psychological suffering and economic hardship.

The Commission said a human rights-based approach to justice must recognise the rights of victims and their families while protecting the dignity and fundamental rights of people sentenced to death. It added that acknowledging the humanity of those convicted of crimes does not diminish the gravity of their offences or the suffering of victims.

It called on states to establish or maintain a moratorium on executions, ensure that people sentenced to death are held in conditions consistent with human dignity, and provide victims and their families with psychological, social, economic and legal support.

The Commission also urged national human rights institutions, civil society organisations and justice professionals to challenge the dehumanisation of people sentenced to death and promote a human rights-based approach to criminal justice.

It commended African countries that have abolished the death penalty or introduced moratoriums on executions, while calling for the adoption by the competent organs of the African Union of a draft protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the abolition of the death penalty in Africa.

The proposed protocol would strengthen protection of the right to life across the continent, the Commission said.

Source: FSX Business News