Kebede 11
A
ham Kebede
Paul Croon
ENG&102 14 20930
Fe
uary 6, 2022
“Death Penalty is a justice or end of right to life”
“We know that zip code and race are likely determinants of whether an accused criminal is sentenced to death. There has been nothing equal, or fair, or just, about that. – Governor Jay Inslee”
In the name of justice, many people are sacrificed to close the files and it is communicated that the culprit has been punished. Despite believing blindly on the legal system, a common person lacks evidences that are the punishment right for the culprit. On the other hand, by announcing death penalty the Article 2 of human rights is being violated which states that nobody including government can end a life of a person (Equality and Human Rights Commission). A small number of convicted people get death sentence but the question is still the
each to the act is being done.
Racial Bias
The racial biasness is not uncommon in US. The 14th Amendment protects the races, which witnessed slavery and unequal behavior in the society. It governs all laws to be fair towards all races, which are part of US culture, and enforce legislation which are appropriate. In 1938, law schools were different for white and non-whites. In the name of equalization, the separation was made based on race.
It was found that there is no ground on creating separate law schools and as per equal rights, being the citizen of US all students can study together (JUSTIA US law). In order to protect a specific group of individuals from the death sentence, human rights norms protect everyone against the death penalty. In addition, they restrict its applicability to just the "most heinous offences." The definition of "most heinous crimes" is limited to deliberate murder alone, according to the authorities (American Civil Liberties Union).
The death penalty for heresy, blasphemy, consenting adult sexual contact, national security offences, te
orism, drug-related crimes, and other crimes other than planned murder has also suffered as an outcome of the death penalty debate (CNN). He is going to be sentenced. For a variety of circumstances, certain persons who have been condemned or killed are afforded exceptional protection against the application of the death sentence under international law.
People found guilty of a crime are not subjected to the death sentence under international human rights law, and pregnant women, young mothers, and people with intellectual or intellectual impairments are not executed under international human rights law (Reprieve). As a result, the imposition of the death sentence against them unquestionably renders them victims.
Racial discrimination is so embedded in the cultural aspect of the country that despite such amendments it can be seen in the su
oundings. The creation of amendments is just a step forward towards a society where changes are demanded. After that, it is required to assess the changes on the parameters, which are stated in the amendment. Though it can see, non-whites are being benefitted with it but it is a surface level (CNN). There is need to dig deep in the system and evaluate the possibilities of equal opportunities in other spheres of life as well.
The American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) oppositions of the capital punishment addressed that the death penalty is largely dependent on race. They implied “People of color are far more likely to be executed than white people, especially if the victims are white” (American Civil Liberties Union). The racial disparities in the death penalty showed that racial bias is a decisive factor. The statistical evidence form ACLU conforms to the racial bias that exists in the death penalty. Looking back in time, between 1930 and 1960 the death penalty in Taxes took the lives of 4,200 prisoners; more than half (53%) who were black (American Civil Liberties Union).
On the other hand, looking at time after the 1970s the Racial Justice Initiative (EJI) also addressed the racial bias and disparities. They claimed that racial disparities have been increasing over time; after 1976, 46% of people who dies from the death penalty were people of color and that number increases to 60% from January 2009 through December 2018 (Equal Justice Initiative).
Racial discrimination has been evident over time as portrayed by both ACLU and EJI. The continuance of racial bias over time illustrates the large disproportionality of people of color, which tracks back to all the way back to slavery. The ACLU and the study done on death penalty in Texan emphasized how the racial disparities in death penalties have become an extension of the “legacy of slavery” making the fight for racial justice and racism more difficult (ACLU).
With one exception, the number of executions and fresh death sentences fell to record lows in 2020. The number of federal executions, according to death penalty specialist Robert Dunham, is on the increase. As of this year, Colorado has joined 21 other states in abolishing the death penalty. It is also notable that voters in California's Los Angeles County recently elected a progressive prosecutor, who claims he does not support the death sentence (National Public Radio).
In the United States, executions and fresh executions have fallen to record lows, with just 17 being ca
ied out so far this year. Long-term trends are shifting away from the death sentence, according to experts. The solution was as easy as pie. The relatives of the victims received some restitution, and the rule of law was respected (Connor).
Cruel and Unusual
Death penalty is cruel and unusual at the same time. It is cruel because it denies the concept of democratic leadership in the politics and supports authoritarian rule. Due to the...