CGNK calls for abolition of death penalty at Human Rights Council High-level Panel

The Center for Global Nonkilling delivered on the 26th of February an oral statement to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations during the biennial high-level panel on the death penalty.

The existence and practice of the death penalty is receding worldwide. However, some States, invoking their right to choose their own justice system, still pretend to have a legitimate power to kill. Nevertheless, CGNK’s main representative highlighted the fact that all States have approved the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which claim “leaving no one behind” thus giving the right to development to all, including those in need of amendment or rehabilitation. Calling on all States to stand on their SDG commitments, CGNK insisted on the fact there is no place for the death penalty in the Sustainable Development Goals, and was the only participant making this link.

Further, SDG goal 16.1 calls to “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death everywhere”. No one would possibly hold that the death penalty is not an aggravated and definite form of violence. Henceforth, viewing the large consensus for abolition and the growing isolation of those maintaining it, but also the fact that any reduction of the death penalty to be “significant” and respect the right to life implies the abolition of this penalty, it is largely worthwhile insisting, over and over again if need be, on the fact that the death penalty is incompatible with the SDGs.

A full video of the panel is available online. CGNK appears at 1.17.17 and the SDGs also appear in the final conclusions at 1.54.21 and 1.59.26.

 

CGNK’s full statement:

Monsieur le President,

Dear Human Beings,
Excellency’s,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear webcasters,

Good Morning,

“To leave no one behind!”

The Sustainable Development Goals have not only recalled the universal principle of dignity and rights to all, they have reinforced this commitment by insuring that each and every one would be part of development. This leaves no space for discrimination.

Sustainable Development is also a right to personal development, including personal amendment and rehabilitation, even in the worst cases.

At a time when humanity itself is in need of preserving its own life and survival, is there a better way to protect the life of all, to prove the value and the worth of life itself, than by protecting the life of each and every one?

The Center for Global Nonkilling does not ever see any justification for any involuntary death, more than not if death is caused by others, private or officials.

All States have approved the SDGs and this “leaving no one behind” approach to human dignity. There is therefore no place for the death penalty in the Sustainable Development Goals and all States are now called upon to stand on their SDG commitment towards life for all.

“Please leave no one behind and abolish the death penalty, worldwide!”

Merci Monsieur le Président.