A group of 88 civil society representatives, including individuals and groups have expressed deep concern about a decision by the Cabinet of Ministers to resume judicial executions in Sri Lanka, saying there is no empirical evidence to support the assertion that the death penalty is an effective deterrent to crime.
Issuing a statement last week, civil society representatives said, death penalty has not been implemented in Sri Lanka since 1976, though it continues to remain as a punishment for certain categories of offences.
According to media reports the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena to take steps towards implementing the death penalty regarding persons who have been sentenced to death for drug offences and “who continue to operate the drug racket from their prison cells”. The statement by civil society activists notes as follows:
We reiterate the objections made by several stakeholders in stating that:
l There is no empirical evidence to support the assertion that the death penalty has a deterrent value and that it reduces crime;
l Once imposed the death penalty cannot be reversed, as such, individuals should not be punished with death for crimes they did not commit;
l Enforcing the death penalty is contrary to Sri Lanka’s international obligations; and
l It is not the way a civilised society deals with crime, especially, complicated crime of the nature of trafficking narcotics.
In this regard we welcome the observations of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) contained in letter dated July 13, 2018 addressed to President Sirisena which echoes the contents of its previous letter to President Sirisena in January 2016, requesting him to take steps to abolish the death penalty.
We urge the President, Prime Minister and the other members of the Cabinet to seriously consider these recommendations by the HRCSL, which is statutorily mandated to advise the Government in matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights.
There is no doubt about the need to curb narcotics in Sri Lanka, however, the response of the GoSL needs to be carefully considered so as not to exacerbate existing problems.
If the GoSL is serious about dealing with narcotics and drug trafficking it needs to among other things, focus on training the Police to deal with narcotics related crime and invest in modern equipment and technology to help investigations.
The GoSL also needs to address the strong perception in society that politicians are involved in trafficking narcotics and/or are direct beneficiaries of money derived from such activities.
Civil society groups oppose death penalty
A group of 88 civil society representatives, including individuals and groups have expressed deep concern about a decision by the Cabinet of Ministers to resume judicial executions in Sri Lanka, saying there is no empirical evidence to support the assertion that the death penalty is an effective deterrent to crime.
Issuing a statement last week, civil society representatives said, death penalty has not been implemented in Sri Lanka since 1976, though it continues to remain as a punishment for certain categories of offences.
According to media reports the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena to take steps towards implementing the death penalty regarding persons who have been sentenced to death for drug offences and “who continue to operate the drug racket from their prison cells”. The statement by civil society activists notes as follows:
We reiterate the objections made by several stakeholders in stating that:
- There is no empirical evidence to support the assertion that the death penalty has a deterrent value and that it reduces crime;
- Once imposed the death penalty cannot be reversed, as such, individuals should not be punished with death for crimes they did not commit;
- Enforcing the death penalty is contrary to Sri Lanka’s international obligations; and
- It is not the way a civilised society deals with crime, especially, complicated crime of the nature of trafficking narcotics.
In this regard we welcome the observations of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) contained in letter dated July 13, 2018 addressed to President Sirisena which echoes the contents of its previous letter to President Sirisena in January 2016, requesting him to take steps to abolish the death penalty.
We urge the President, Prime Minister and the other members of the Cabinet to seriously consider these recommendations by the HRCSL, which is statutorily mandated to advise the Government in matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights.
There is no doubt about the need to curb narcotics in Sri Lanka, however, the response of the GoSL needs to be carefully considered so as not to exacerbate existing problems.
If the GoSL is serious about dealing with narcotics and drug trafficking it needs to among other things, focus on training the Police to deal with narcotics related crime and invest in modern equipment and technology to help investigations.
The GoSL also needs to address the strong perception in society that politicians are involved in trafficking narcotics and/or are direct beneficiaries of money derived from such activities.