The International Perspective, Part 1

Other international governing bodies have taken the U.N.'s lead. The European Union believes that "abolishing the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights." Europe is considered to be an almost "death penalty free zone," with Belarus being the only European country to still utilize the death penalty for ordinary crimes.

Since 1982, four international treaties have been drawn up and ratified by members of the international community. In Europe, Protocol No. 6 and Protocol No. 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights was ratified by 44 and 27 countries, respectively. In Central and South America, the Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights to Abolish the Death Penalty was ratified by eight countries. The most important treaty, however, is the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which was ratified by 54 countries throughout the world.

However, despite the recent trend towards abolishment and the numerous organizations and treaties denouncing the death penalty, it is important to note that the use of capital punishment is not directly in conflict with international law.

Sources: Amnesty International, Centre for Capital Punishment Studies (School of Law, University of Westminster), European Union at the United Nations, Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, International Committee of the Red Cross.

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