Death penalty, an inefficient and inhuman sentence

Carlos Mura
201611017-8
Whenever the media report a macabre crime, the discussion about the death penalty
resurfaces as punishment for these acts. According to amnesty international figures reflected
in his article “death penalty” by McCann Erickson Berlin, for the year 2018 there were 2,531
death sentences in 54 countries, and that same year more than 690 executions were made, by
past sentences, in 20 countries When reviewing this information, it is unfortunate to note that
this sentence has not helped lower crime levels, but quite the opposite, dragging executions
of innocents and violating one of the most fundamental human rights, the right to life. Next,
arguments will be presented that demonstrate that the death penalty is an inefficient and
inhuman sentence.
First, it is important to clarify that the penalty does not have a deterrent function as many
think, the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology included the study conducted in the
United States, "Do executions lower homicide rates?: The views of leading criminologists"
by Michael L.Radelet & Traci L. Lacock, where 73 criminology experts were interviewed
and 88.2% said the death penalty does not discourage murder. These same investigators
assure that the evidence shows that in the states where the death penalty was abolished the
homicide rate is 42% lower. In accordance with this, 18% of the experts surveyed believe
that the death penalty increases the homicide rate for something they call "the hypothesis of
brutalization" thus demonstrating the inefficiency of this sentence.
On the other hand, there are those who do not conceive the death penalty as an exemplary
sentence of justice, but as a simple tool of revenge. The problem that arises with this is
reflected in the data collected by "death penality information center" where it is established
that since 1972 there have been 166 those sentenced who have subsequently been released
for innocence, leaving the question How many innocents have been executed for
investigation errors? Without a doubt it is very unfortunate information and more when it is
established that over 60% are black or Latin people, confirming the theory of many that this
sentence hides xenophobia and racism within their ideal of justice.
In addition, it must be remembered above all the things, that the death penalty goes against a
fundamental human right, the right to life. Human rights were born in 1948 as a measure to
prevent the atrocities of world wars from recurring, but by accepting this sentence, it is
accepted to continue with a circle of endless violence.
Finally, it can be summarized that currently the death penalty is an inefficient measure that
does not control crime; It is a cruel measure that can take the life of an innocent and is
ultimately inhuman because it threatens human rights. It is everyone's job to contribute to a
more just society that repudiates acts such as the death penalty, it is for all these reasons that
the death penalty should be abolished worldwide.
Sources

https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/death-penalty/

https://www.amnestyusa.org/a-clear-scientific-consensus-that-the-death-penalty-does-not-deter/

https://files.deathpenaltyinfo.org/legacy/files/DeterrenceStudy2009.pdf

https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/policy-issues/innocence

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights