Uganda should review death penalty
Oct 01, 2007
INTERNAL Affairs minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has ruled out the death penalty for Lord’s Resistance Army leaders when they face trial for crimes committed during the two decades of rebellion in the north. The Government is right to support some form of punishment for Joseph Kony and his top comman
INTERNAL Affairs minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has ruled out the death penalty for Lord’s Resistance Army leaders when they face trial for crimes committed during the two decades of rebellion in the north. The Government is right to support some form of punishment for Joseph Kony and his top commanders without undermining the opportunity for reconciliation.
This announcement provides another chance for Ugandans to reflect, once again, on whether or not the death penalty should remain in our law books.
Opponents of capital punishment argue that it does not deter criminals more than life imprisonment, violates the basic human right (the right to life), leads to executions of some who are wrongfully convicted, and it has a negative effect on society because capital punishment is itself a premeditated murder, and it discriminates against minorities and the poor.
Proponents argue that it deters crime, prevents recidivism, and is an appropriate form of punishment for the crime of murder. However, there is no evidence that crime rates increase when capital punishment is abolished. For example, the last 20 years witnessed 48% homicide rate in American states with capital punishment, compared to 23% in the states without capital punishment.
Capital punishment is steadily getting out of fashion. Almost all European countries, Canada, many Pacific Area and Latin American states have completely abolished it. The United States, Guetamala, most of the Caribbean and most democracies in Asia (e.g. Japan and India) and Africa (e.g. Botswana, Zambia and Uganda) retain it. From the human rights angle, the former group can proudly describe themselves as the most civilised nations — which Rwanda and Gabon joined this year. A total of 64 countries retain capital punishment. Should Uganda remain among the minority?
The UN has hitherto had no position on the death penalty, but during the General Assembly’ 62nd session, a resolution will be proposed calling for a universal ban. After that, all states desirous to retain respect should move fast to comply.
This announcement provides another chance for Ugandans to reflect, once again, on whether or not the death penalty should remain in our law books.
Opponents of capital punishment argue that it does not deter criminals more than life imprisonment, violates the basic human right (the right to life), leads to executions of some who are wrongfully convicted, and it has a negative effect on society because capital punishment is itself a premeditated murder, and it discriminates against minorities and the poor.
Proponents argue that it deters crime, prevents recidivism, and is an appropriate form of punishment for the crime of murder. However, there is no evidence that crime rates increase when capital punishment is abolished. For example, the last 20 years witnessed 48% homicide rate in American states with capital punishment, compared to 23% in the states without capital punishment.
Capital punishment is steadily getting out of fashion. Almost all European countries, Canada, many Pacific Area and Latin American states have completely abolished it. The United States, Guetamala, most of the Caribbean and most democracies in Asia (e.g. Japan and India) and Africa (e.g. Botswana, Zambia and Uganda) retain it. From the human rights angle, the former group can proudly describe themselves as the most civilised nations — which Rwanda and Gabon joined this year. A total of 64 countries retain capital punishment. Should Uganda remain among the minority?
The UN has hitherto had no position on the death penalty, but during the General Assembly’ 62nd session, a resolution will be proposed calling for a universal ban. After that, all states desirous to retain respect should move fast to comply.