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Abolishing Death Penalty

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What is Being Done?

There are currently a number of Non Governmental Organizations dedicated to the task of abolishing the death penalty. National watchdogs like the Death Penalty Information Center collect and publish national statistics on the death penalty yearly and document all individuals executed in the United States. Though no large movement has been created by DPIC the work done by the organization had made it easier for abolitionists to collect information that would otherwise be inaccessible to the general public. This aids in the expansion of true information about the death penalty and humanizes those on death row by allowing individuals access to case and trial information. Large international organizations like Human Rights …show more content…

It has been proven that a prisoners fundamental rights and freedoms are infringed not only at the time of execution but also during their stay on death row. Exposure to unfit living conditions and torturous, degrading acts has shown that the death penalty is not just capital punishment but instead cruel and unusual punishment. This is why I recommend the international community rise up and push for an international ban of the death penalty in all circumstances, including wartime. Though this is the goal of many NGOs, I believe it is going to take a strong collective push by the international community in order for countries like the United States to ever change its legislation. An organized campaign that calls for the boycott, divestment and sanction of the United States until it aligns with international values places pressure not only on the economy but also the U.S. reputation fighting for human rights. While international protocols have used abolitionist rhetoric to protect the rights of prisoners facing death, these protocols are not legally binding and are often optional for States. This is why a stronger tactic must be used against superpower countries that often don’t sign or ratify treaties that impact national affairs. Increased access to information should also be a priority as the United States continues to medicalize the practice to hide its cruelty. In this case, knowledge is power and by sharing accounts of life on death row in the united states as well as the true barbaric nature of executions, it become hard for the international community to turn a blind eye to the abuse. Information sharing is also important for abolitionist countries as well to ensure the practice of the death penalty never returns. This is especially true for countries like Canada, where we are heavily influenced by United

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