Should the capital punishment be allowed - Essay Example

46). The increased number is attributed to these four nations being most populous nations globally. The death penalty is matter controversy in different nations across the world. The positions are varied based on either cultural region, or political ideology. Among the member states of the European Union (EU), Article 2 of the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the EU prohibits the use of capital punishment (European Union, 2010). In the same way, the Council of Europe that is comprised of 47 member states does not allow capital punishment among its members.

The public opinion in relation to the death penalty varies considerably. Nonetheless, studies have evidenced adequate reasons as to why the death penalty needs to be abolished. Hodgkinson and Schabas (2004, p. 57) shares the evidence that the death penalty needs to be illegalised because life is very valuable. Life is very important and even murderers are not supposed to be deprived the value of their lives. Life cannot be taken back and every justice system is vulnerable to failure. Therefore, capital punishment puts numerous innocent lives at risk (Kronenwetter, 2001, p.53). Any mistake from the prosecution team may lead to demise of an innocent person.

In the same way, innocent people will be prosecuted and killed due to flaws in the justice system. Justices, prosecutors, and witnesses can makes mistakes, which may result in the wrongful convictions of persons. It therefore becomes inevitable that innocent individuals may be sentenced to death for capital crimes. For example, in America, according to Amnesty International an estimated 130 people have been found to be innocent who were on death row. The mentally ill persons may also be executed not knowing why the reasons for their mistakes.

The uncooperative and cold behaviour of the mentally challenged persons in the courtroom makes them unable to participate in the trials. As a result, they convicted and put on death row when they are