INDEX
Document(s)
World Psychiatric Association position statement mental health and the death penalty
By World Psychiatric Association, on 30 November 2023
2023
Arguments against the death penalty
Fair Trial
Intellectual Disability
zh-hantMore details See the document
International law and laws of various countries prohibit the imposition of the death penalty on persons
with mental illness or developmental and intellectual disabilities due to the special barriers faced by
them in defending themselves; their limited moral culpability; and their diminished ability to
understand the nature and reason for their execution. However, due to lack of accommodations in
criminal proceedings and legal safeguards, persons with mental illness, developmental and intellectual
disabilities are at a greater risk of being sentenced to death and having their fair trial rights denied.
Authors:
Maitreyi Misra, Director (Mental Health and Criminal Justice), Project 39A, National Law University
Delhi.
Namrata Sinha, Research Associate (Mental Health and Criminal Justice), Project 39A, National Law
University Delhi.
Neeraj Gill, Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra and Griffith University,
School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
Soumitra Pathare, Consultant Psychiatrist, Director, Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, ILS
Law College, Pune.
Afzal Javed, President, World Psychiatric Association.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty
- Themes list Fair Trial / Intellectual Disability
- Available languages 世界精神醫學會針對精神健康與死刑之立場聲明
Document(s)
A Deadly Distraction, Why the Death Penalty is not the Answer to Rape in South Asia
on 25 May 2022
2022
Arguments against the death penalty
NGO report
Bangladesh
India
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
More details See the document
Since 2010, persons convicted of rape offences were executed in at least 9 countries, including India and Pakistan. Moreover, public protests against the rape epidemic, which led governments to introduce capital rape laws, illustrates the need to shine a spotlight in South Asia.
The report examines the use of the death penalty for rape in four South Asian countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and explores ways that anti-death penalty activists can challenge this concerning trend.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty / NGO report
- Countries list Bangladesh / India / Pakistan / Sri Lanka
Document(s)
Children of parents sentenced to death or executed: How are they affected? How can they be supported?
By Child Rights Connect , on 8 September 2020
2020
Arguments against the death penalty
More details See the document
From the point of arrest decades after the execution or release of a parent accused of a capital crime, the children’s mental health and wellbeing, living situation, and relationships with others can all be affected, usually in a devastating manner. The inherent trauma of knowing that a loved one is going to be executed can be exacerbated by public indifference or hostility, and by authorities who either fail to recognise or deliberately refuse to consider the situation of these children. This publication addresses the challenges to support the children.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty
- Themes list Juveniles, International law, Murder Victims' Families,
Document(s)
The High Cost of the Death Penalty
By Death Penalty Focus, on 8 September 2020
Arguments against the death penalty
More details See the document
A fact sheet on the cost of the death penalty in the United States. Life emprisonment without parole is suggested.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty
- Themes list Transparency, Death Penalty, Financial cost,
Document(s)
Deterrence
By Death Penalty Focus, on 8 September 2020
Arguments against the death penalty
More details See the document
Scientific studies have consistently failed to demonstrate that executions deter people from committing crime anymore than long prison sentences.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty
- Themes list Deterrence ,
Document(s)
Inadequete Legal Representation
By Death Penalty Focus, on 8 September 2020
Arguments against the death penalty
More details See the document
Perhaps the most important factor in determining whether a defendant will receive the death penalty is the quality of the representation he or she is provided. Almost all defendants in capital cases cannot afford their own attorneys. In many cases, the appointed attorneys are overworked, underpaid, or lacking the trial experience required for death penalty cases.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty
- Themes list Legal Representation,
Document(s)
Religion and the Death Penalty
By Death Penalty Information Center, on 8 September 2020
Arguments against the death penalty
More details See the document
In recent years, a growing number of religious organizations have participated in the nation’s death penalty debate. The purpose of this Web page is to provide access to information regarding the efforts of these faith groups and to highlight recent developments related to religion and the death penalty.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty
- Themes list Religion ,
Document(s)
Human Rights and the Death Penalty in the United States
By The Advocates for Human Rights, on 8 September 2020
Arguments against the death penalty
More details See the document
This sheet details what human rights are in relation to the death penalty and the USA. It discusses racism, inadequete legal representation and the unjustifiable cost of the death penalty in the US.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty
Document(s)
Death Penalty and Deterrence
By Amnesty International - USA, on 8 September 2020
Arguments against the death penalty
More details See the document
An argument against deterrence is made by looking at a survey which found that during the last 20 years, the homicide rate in states with the death penalty has been 48 to 101 percent higher than in states without the death penalty.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty
- Themes list Deterrence ,
Document(s)
Death Penalty and Arbitrariness
By Amnesty International - USA, on 8 September 2020
Arguments against the death penalty
More details See the document
This sheet details the factors which contribute to the arbitrariness of the death penalty in the USA.
- Document type Arguments against the death penalty
- Themes list Arbitrariness,