AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010 LESSON 2 UNITED NATIONS DEATH PENALTY DEBATE LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson encourages students to: • understand the process of a UN debate on a global issue; • present arguments for a particular point of view on the death penalty, including opposing ones and persuade others to support position; • critically evaluate different viewpoints on the death penalty; • consider how to take informed action on the issue. SKILLS Discussion, debate, questioning, reflection; interpretation and critical analysis of sources; presenting a convincing argument not always your own; advocacy and representation. CURRICULUM LINKS Please refer to DVD. PRIOR LEARNING This lesson assumes knowledge of the death penalty, including arguments for and against its use, and of the aims and workings of the United Nations. WHAT YOU NEED Available on the DVD unless otherwise stated. For each student: • An ambassador role card, which includes a country name and flag, along with an accompanying set of ambassador briefing notes (fold in half and display on desk) • The Italian motion (one per student) • For and against the death penalty information sheet • Glossary • Universal Declaration of Human Rights summary version (also in folder pocket) For the teacher: • A UN flag • Chair’s briefing notes ABOUT THIS LESSON Students will hold a mock United Nations (UN) debate on the worldwide use of the death penalty. It is loosely based on a planned debate on the death penalty due to start at the UN General Assembly in October 2010 (see background below). Each student will be appointed as the ambassador of a member state and will be asked to consider whether the death penalty should be restricted or even abolished around the world. Each ambassador is given briefing notes outlining their position on the debate. These briefing notes are fictitious, although each suggested position broadly reflects the country’s historical background and incorporates teachings from that country’s dominant religious tradition and political position. Through this lesson students are able to explore the influence of religious teachings on political decision-making as well as further consider arguments for and against the death penalty explored in Lesson 1. Background to this mock UN debate On 18 December 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution 62/149 calling for a worldwide moratorium (freeze) on executions with a view to abolition. The resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 104 UN member states in favour, 54 against and 29 abstentions. It was the first time the UN General Assembly approved a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. In that debate, Italy and Malaysia took the lead roles, as in our lesson plan. A second resolution on the death penalty was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 December 2008 on the implementation of the 2007 UNGA resolution 62/149. Support had increased: 106 states voted in favour, 46 against and 34 abstained. These resolutions are not legally binding but have moral force. They are a step towards global abolition of the death penalty. A similar resolution will be considered at the 65th UN General Assembly at the end of 2010. This lesson is loosely based on this planned debate. TIME 1-2 lessons/1-2 hours (or up to three hours to cover more detail).
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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
LESSON 2 UNITED NATIONS DEATH PENALTY DEBATE
LEARNINg ObjEcTIvES
This lesson encourages students to: •understandtheprocessofaUNdebateonaglobal
background to this mock uN debate On18December2007,theUNGeneralAssemblyadoptedtheresolution62/149callingforaworldwidemoratorium(freeze)onexecutionswithaviewtoabolition.Theresolutionwasadoptedbyanoverwhelmingmajorityof104UNmemberstatesinfavour,54againstand29abstentions.ItwasthefirsttimetheUNGeneralAssemblyapprovedamoratoriumontheuseofthedeathpenalty.Inthatdebate,ItalyandMalaysiatooktheleadroles,asinourlessonplan.
TelltheclasstheywillbeposingasambassadorstotheUN,andexplainthattheyareabouttodebateamotionfromItalycallingforamoratoriumontheuseofthedeathpenalty.Handoutcopiesofthe Italian motion and read throughasaclass.Explainthatyouwillchairthedebate.
Hand out the For and against the death penalty informationsheet,whichsummarisesthemainarguments.Studentswillalsofindargumentssuggestedontheirbriefingnotes.
LESSON PLAN
countries probably against executions and for the Italian motion
Italy(fortheEU)
Angola
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bhutan
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
GuineaBissau
Mexico
Nepal
Poland
SouthAfrica
countries probably for executions and against the Italian motion
•Forthoseinterestedingettinginvolvedindeath penaltyactivismasaresultofthislearning,youandyourstudents can go to www.amnesty.org.uk/lifeanddeath formoreinformation.Ifstudentswishtosetupayouthgroupseepage22ofthisbookletandinformationontheDVD.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESALgERIAALgERIA
Your country is:Abolitionist in practice. Whilejudgescontinuetoissuethedeathsentence–particularlyincasesrelatedtoterrorism–Algeriahasnotexecutedaprisonersince1993whenanofficialmoratorium(suspension)onexecutionswasdeclared.In2009,100peopleweresentencedtodeath. country informationAlgeriaislocatedinNorthAfricaandhas34.9millionpeople. Your position in the debateAlgeriansarelockedinavigorousdebateoverthesuspensionofthedeathpenaltyintroducedin1993.In2008Algeriaco-sponsoredandvotedinfavouroftheresolutiononamoratoriumontheuseofthedeathpenaltyattheUNGeneralAssembly.However,in2009thegovernmentrejectedabilltoabolishthedeathpenaltyproposedbyanoppositionparliamentarian.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESANgOLAANgOLA
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. Thedeathpenaltywasabolishedin1992.In2010,AngolaapprovedanewConstitutionthatkeepsthedeathpenaltybanned. country informationAngolaisacountryinWesternsub-SaharanAfricawith apopulationof18.5million. Your position in the debateAngolasufferedabrutal27-yearcivilwarfrom1975;approximately500,000werekilled.Youmightarguethatyourcountryknowsthehorrorandpaindeathrepresentsandwillalwaysdefendtherighttolife.Andthedeathpenaltyisthecruellest,mostinhumananddegradingformoftorture.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESAuSTRALIAAuSTRALIA
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. Australiaabolishedthedeathpenaltyin1984.Thelastexecutiontookplacein1967. country informationAustraliaisanislandcontinentintheSouthPacificwithapopulationof21.3million. Your position in the debateThedeathpenaltyiswidelycondemnedbymostAustralians,andtherearenoplanstorestoreit.AustraliahassignedtheSecondOptionalProtocoltotheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,whichaimsattheabolitionofthedeathpenalty.In2010theFederalParliamentpassedlawsensuringthedeathpenaltycanneverbereintroducedbyanystateorterritoryinAustralia.Youcouldarguethisisthehallmarkofacivilisedsociety,andwhenmistakesaremadetheconsequencesareserious.Peoplehavebeenexecutedwhoarelaterfoundtohavebeeninnocent.Thedeathpenaltyisirrevocable(can’tbereversed).
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESAZERbAIjANAZERbAIjAN
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. Youareproudtohaveabolishedthedeathpenaltyin1998. country informationAzerbaijanislocatedontheborderofEasternEuropeandWesternAsia.Ithas8.8millioncitizens. Your position in the debateYourcountryhasratified(confirmeditwillabideby)aninternationaltreaty(SecondOptionalProtocoltotheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights)aimingattheabolitionofthedeathpenalty,withtheoptiontouseitintimesofwar.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESbhuTANbhuTAN
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. In2004theKingofBhutanissuedaRoyalDecreeabolishingthedeathpenalty.Thelastknownexecutiontookplacein1964. country informationBhutanisanAsianmountainkingdomofaround 697,000people. Your position in the debateBhutanisaBuddhistnation,andcapitalpunishmentisseenasacontradictiontothebasicbeliefsofBuddhism.Youbelievefirmlyintheprincipleofnon-violenceandrespectforlife,ahimsa.Thisisaruleofconductthatbarsthekillingorinjuringoflivingthings.Soinyourbelief,thedeathpenaltyisnotjustifiable.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESbOTSWANAbOTSWANA
Your country is:Retentionist. ThedeathpenaltyhasbeeninforceheresincethecountrygainedindependencefromBritainin1965.Itisappliedformurder,treasonandpiracy.In2009,twopeopleweresentencedtodeathandonepersonwasexecuted. country informationBotswanaisacountryof1.9millionpeopleinSouthernAfrica. Your position in the debateBotswana’sstanceonthedeathpenaltyisn’tabouttobeswayed.Executionscannottakeplacewithoutawarrantsignedbythepresident.Clemency(leniencyormercy)hasneverbeengranted.Defendyourpositionbysayingitisthewillofthecitizens.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESbRAZILbRAZIL
Your country is:Abolitionist for ordinary crimes only. Capitalpunishmentwaslastusedasaformofpunishmentin1876andhasnotbeenofficiallyusedsincetheproclamationoftheRepublicin1889.Itwasfinallyabolishedbythe1988Constitution,withtheexceptionofcrimesoftreasoncommittedinwartime. country informationBrazilisthelargestcountryinSouthAmericaandhasapopulationof193.7million. Your position in the debateBrazilregardsthedeathpenaltyasacruelandinhumanpunishmentthatdegradeshumanlife.Brazilisalsooneofthefewcountriesintheworldthathasabolishedlifesentences–acitizencannotspendmorethan30yearsinprison.Arguethatweshouldbethinkingofawaytorehabilitatecriminals,andlawsneedtoensurejusticenotrevenge.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESbuLgARIAbuLgARIA
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. YourcountrywasinfavourofthedeathpenaltywhenitwasaCommuniststateandthroughoutthe1980shadoneofthehighestexecutionratesinEurope.However,Bulgariachangeditsviewsandpracticesandabolishedthedeathpenaltyin1998. country informationBulgariaisinEasternEuropeandhasapopulationof 7.5million. Your position in the debateBulgariajoinedtheEuropeanUnionin2007.TheEUisopposedtotheuseofcapitalpunishmentinallcasesandinallcircumstances–youwillbekeentoshowyourcommitmenttotheEUandhumanrights.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTEScANAdAcANAdA
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. Canadaabolishedthedeathpenaltyforallcrimesin1998.Thelastknownexecutionwasin1962. country informationCanadaisthesecondlargestcountryintheworld, afterRussia,buthasonlyonefifthofthepopulation– 33.6millionpeople. Your position in the debateWhenCanadaabolishedthedeathpenalty,manypeoplesaidthatthemurderratewouldrise.Butthemurderrateactuallydropped.Inyouropinionthisshowsthatthethreatofexecutiondoesnotactasadeterrent(iethefearofcapitalpunishmentifyouarecaughtactuallydoesn’t stopmurder).
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESchINAchINA
Your country is:Retentionist. Chinaexecutesmorepeoplethantherestoftheworldputtogether.However,statisticsremainclassifiedasstatesecretsandwhileexecutionsnumberedintothethousandsin2009,thegovernmentdidnotreleaseactualfigures.Approximatelysixty-eightoffencesinChinaarecapitalcrimes(egpunishablebythedeathpenalty)includingtaxevasion,killingpandasandstealingantiques.Executionsarecarriedoutbyshootingabulletintothebackoftheheadorbylethalinjection. country informationChinaisthemostpopulouscountryintheworldwith 1.3billioncitizens. Your position in the debateYoumightarguethatyourcountryisfacedwithacrimewave.LotsofcriminalsaretryingtodestroyChinaandtheCommunistsystem.Inyouropinion,assoonassomeonehasbeenfoundguiltyofacapitalcrime,theyshouldbequicklyandhumanelykilled.IfotherUNmemberstates
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTEScubAcubA
Your country is:Retentionist. Cubaretainsthedeathpenaltyaspunishmentformurder,hijacking,thecorruptionofchildren,drugsmugglingandarmedrobbery.However,itstoppedcarryingoutexecutionsin2003.Threepeopleremainedondeathrowattheendof2009chargedwithterrorism;mostdeathsentenceswerecommutedtoprisontermsof30yearsbyPresidentRaúlCastroin2008. country informationCubaisanislandstateintheCaribbeanwithapopulationof11.2million. Your position in the debateDespitecommutingdeathsentences,PresidentRaúlCastrosaid:‘Itwouldbeirresponsibleandingenuoustorenouncethedissuasivepowerthatcapitalpunishmenthasontherealterrorists.’YoumightarguethatCubaneedsthedeathpenaltytodealwithasmallnumberofvillainsandterroristswhoareresponsibleforthemostseriouscrimes.Ifyoudidn’thavethethreatofexecution
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESEgYPTEgYPT
Your country is:Retentionist. Egyptretainsthedeathpenalty.In2009,atleast269deathsentenceswereimposedbythecourts,andatleastfiveprisonerswereexecuted. country informationEgyptisthemostpopulouscountryintheMiddleEastwith83millionpeople. Your position in the debateYoumightarguethatexecutionsaretheonlysolutiontohaltEgypt’ssoaringcrimerates.Thisincludesdrugpusherswhocauseuntoldsocialdamage,andextremistgroupswhoconstituteagraveterroristthreat.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESEL SALvAdOREL SALvAdOR
Your country is:Abolitionist for ordinary crimes only. ElSalvadorabolishedthedeathpenaltyforordinarycrimesinpeacetimein1983. country informationElSalvadorisasmallCentralAmericanstatewithapopulationof6.2million. Your position in the debateInElSalvadormoderateleft-wingPresidentMauricioFunes,electedin2009,isunlikelytorestorethe deathpenalty.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESEThIOPIAEThIOPIA
Your country is:Retentionist. Ethiopiastillkeepsthedeathpenaltyinlawaspunishmentformurder,butitisrarelyused.Therehaveonlybeentwoexecutionssince1991.In2009atleast11peopleweresentencedtodeathbutnoexecutionswerereported. country informationEthiopiaisacountryinEastAfricawithapopulationof82.8million. Your position in the debateSeveraldozenpeopleyouconsiderwarcriminalsandterroristshavebeencondemnedtodeathinEthiopiainrecentyears.Thedeathpenaltyisanimportantdeterrantandcountriesshouldbeabletouseitforthispurpose.HoweveryourPresident,anOrthodoxChristian,usuallycommutesdeathsentencestolifeimprisonment.ThismayreflectthereverenceforlifeandforgivenessthatareofprofoundimportanceintheChristianfaith.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESguINEA-bISSAuguINEA-bISSAu
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. Yourcountryhasbeenabolitionistsince1993,withthelastknownexecutionhavingtakenplacein1986. country informationGuinea-BissauisasmallcountryinWestAfricawithapopulationof1.6million.
Your position in the debateMorethanhalfthepeopleofGuinea-BissauareAnimists(whichreferstoareligiousbeliefthatsoulsorspiritsexistinanimals,plantsandotherentities,aswellashumans).MostoftherestareMuslim.Animistsbelieveinaworld ofspiritsinlivingcreaturesandnature.Asananimist youhaveaprofoundrespectforlifeandopposethe deathpenalty.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESINdIAINdIA
Your country is:Retentionist. Indiaretainsthedeathpenaltycarriedoutbyhangingasthefinalpunishmentforthemostseriouscrimes,butitwasdecidedbytheSupremeCourtin1983thatitshouldonlybeusedonthe‘rarestofrareoccasions’.UnderIndianlaw,thedeathpenaltycanbeimposedfor:murder,robberyleadingtodeath,encouragingthesuicideofachildorinsaneperson,wagingwaragainstthegovernmentandencouragingmutinybythearmedforcesandterrorism.Atleast50peopleweresentencedtodeathin2009althoughnoexecutionstookplace. country informationIndiaisthesecondmostpopulouscountryintheworldwithnearly1.2billioninhabitants. Your position in the debateIndiavotedagainstadeathpenaltymoratoriumintheUNGeneralAssemblyin2007and2008.Butwithnoexecutionssince2004,yourcountryisstuckbetweenjoiningtheabolitiontrendandclingingtothenotionthat
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESINdONESIAINdONESIA
Your country is:Retentionist. Forthefirsttimesince2004,noexecutionswerereportedin2009.However,atleast117peopleremainedundersentenceofdeathand10peoplewereexecutedbyfiringsquadin2008.Crimesthatcanresultinthedeathpenaltyincludedrugtrafficking,murderandterrorism. country informationIndonesiaconsistsofachainofislandsbetweenAsiaandAustralia.Ithasapopulationof230millionandtheworld’slargestMuslimpopulation. Your position in the debateYouwillarguestronglyagainstItalyandtheEUresolution.PresidentYudhoyonoisinfavourofwideningtheuseofthedeathpenalty,incontrasttotheglobaltrendtowardsabolishingthedeathpenalty,andhasfoughtagainstAustralia’spressuretoendthepractice.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESISRAELISRAEL
Your country is:Abolitionist for ordinary crimes only. Thedeathpenaltyisonlycarriedoutinyourcountryinextremecircumstances,forconvictionsforgenocide,warcrimes,crimesagainsthumanity,crimesagainsttheJewishpeopleandtreasoninwartime.OnlyonepersonhasbeencivillyexecutedinthehistoryofIsrael–NazimassmurdererAdolfEichmanwhowashangedin1962. country informationThe Israeli state is situated in the Middle East and has a populationof7.2millionpeople. Your position in the debateIsrael’srareuseofthedeathpenaltyishighlyinfluencedbytheJewishfaith.UnderJewishlawintheTalmudinancienttimesthedeathpenaltywasthepunishmentfor36offencesfrommurderandrapetoidolworshipanddishonouringtheSabbathday.TheTalmudsays:‘Whoevershedsthebloodofmanbymanwillhisbloodbeshed,forinhisimagedidGodcreateman.’
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESITALYITALY
You have an important role to play in this debate. You have to present the European union motion that is also supported by other member states of the uN.
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. ItalyabolishedthedeathpenaltyattheendofWorldWarIIin1947,andhasbecomealeadingnationcampaigningagainsttheuseofthedeathpenaltyroundtheworld.
country informationItalyisaEuropeancountryof59.9millionpeople. Your position in the debateItalyisstronglyagainstthedeathpenaltyandisworkingforaninternationalbanofthepractice.ItproposedtheUNmoratoriumontheDeathPenaltyin2007beforetheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNations,urgingallcountriestosuspendcapitalpunishmentwithaviewtobanningit.Aftertheresolution’sapproval,Italy’sforeignministerdeclared:‘Nowwemuststartworkingontheabolitionofthedeathpenalty.’
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESjAMAIcAjAMAIcA
Your country is:Retentionist. In2009,twopeopleweresentencedtodeath;therewerenoexecutions.Jamaicahaseffectivelyhadamoratorium(freeze)onhanging(themethodusedforexecution);thelastexecutiontookplacein1988.InJuly2009thePrimeMinisterdeclaredthatthegovernmentwouldhonourParliament’sdecisionin2008toretainthedeathpenalty,despitepressuretoabolishit. country informationJamaicaisanislandintheCaribbeanwithapopulationof2.7millionpeople. Your position in the debateAlthoughthedeathpenaltyissuspended,younowwantJamaicatoreintroduceit–mainlyinresponsetoyourcountry’sfrighteningmurderrateandanincreaseinviolenceagainstchildren.In2009,gangviolencereportedlyresultedin1,198deathsbetweenJanuary andSeptember.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESLEbANON LEbANON
Your country is:Retentionist. Lebanonstillretainscapitalpunishmentinlaw,andatleast41peoplewereundersentenceofdeathattheendof2009.However,thelastexecutionswerecarriedoutin2004.In2008theMinisterofJusticeproposedadraftlawtoabolishthedeathpenalty,butithadnotyetbeenapprovedbytheendof2009. country informationLebanonisasmallcountryintheMiddleEastwith4.2millionpeople. Your position in the debatePerhapsitisnowtimeforLebanontotaketheplungeandabolishthedeathpenaltyforever–orperhapsnot.In2008,theMinisterofJusticesaid,‘Sciencehasproventhatthereisnocasualrelationshipbetweencrimeandthepresenceorabsenceofthedeathpenalty.’
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESMALAWIMALAWI
Your country is:Abolitionist in practice. InApril2007theHighCourtruleddeathsentencesonallprisonersondeathrowunconstitutional.TheCourtfoundthatthedeathpenaltyviolatedtherighttolifeandamountedtoinhumanpunishment.Asaresultthe23prisonersondeathrowwereresentenced.Thelastexecutiontookplacein1992. country informationMalawiisinSouth-EastAfricawithapopulationof 15.3million. Your position in the debatePublicopiniononthedeathpenaltyinMalawiisdivided.Somefearabolishingitwouldgiverisetoseriouscriminaloffences.Othersarguethatthedeathpenaltydoesnotdeterpeoplefromcommittingseriouscrimessowhatisthepurposeofmaintainingit?Thereareotheralternatives,includinglifeimprisonment.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESMALAYSIAMALAYSIA
You have an important job to play in this activity. You are to lead and organise the ambassadors of countries that, like yours, are against Italy’s motion.
Your country is:Retentionist. Atleast68peopleweresentencedtodeathbytheHighCourtsin2009whilethenumberofexecutionswasunknown.Crimescarryingthedeathpenaltyincludedrugtrafficking,murderandterrorism. country informationYouareaprosperouscountryinSouthEastAsiawithapopulationof27.5million. Your position in the debateTheMalaysiangovernmentisstronglyinfavourofthedeathpenalty.Indeed,peopleareconstantlyexhortingthatitsuseshouldbeextended,sayingthatitistheappropriatepunishmentforevenmorecrimes.Arguethatpotentialcriminalswillthinktwicebeforebreakingthelawforfearoflosingtheirlife.Thetakingofacriminal’slifeallowssociety
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESMExIcOMExIcO
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. Mexicoabolishedthedeathpenaltyin2005,andhaslongbeenapowerfulvoiceininternationalforumscallingfortheabolitionofcapitalpunishment.Thelastexecutionwascarriedoutin1961. country informationMexicoisinCentralAmericaandhasapopulationof 109.6million. Your position in the debateAwaveofcrimeanddrug-relatedviolencehasreignitedthedebateonthedeathpenaltyinyourcountry.In2009,hugepostersinMexicoCitycarryingtheGreenPartylogodemandeditsreturn.Thepostersloganread:‘Becausewecareaboutyourlife–thedeathpenaltyformurderersandkidnappers’.Howeveritisunlikely,ifnotimpossible,thatitwillbereinstated.Thegovernment,churchandhumanrightsgroupsallstronglyopposeit.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESNEPALNEPAL
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. Nepalreintroducedthedeathpenaltyinthe1980sandthenabolisheditforordinarycrimes(peacetimeoffences)in1990andforallcrimesin1997. country informationNepalisamountainouscountryinAsiawithapopulationof29.3millionpeople. Your position in the debateMostNepalipeopleareHindusandthereisalsoalargeBuddhistminority.YoumightrefertotheimportantBuddhistandHinduconceptofahimsa–non-violenceandrespectforlife.Thisimportantteachinggivesyoureasontobecompletelyagainsttheuseofthedeathpenaltyin allcases.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESPOLANdPOLANd
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. PolandwasaCommunistcountryformanyyearsuntil1989.Undercommunismanaverageof10peopleweresentencedtodeatheachyearbetween1956and1988,mostlyformurder.Butamoratorium(freeze)onexecutionsbeganin1989andcapitalpunishmentwasabolishedforallcrimesin1997.AnewerabeganwhenPolandjoined theEuropeanUnionin2004. country informationPolandisacountryinEasternEuropewithapopulationof38.1millionpeople. Your position in the debatePolandhassignedProtocol6oftheEuropeanConventiononHumanRights,whichrestrictstheapplicationofthedeathpenaltytotimesofwar.Polandhassigned,butnotyetratified(confirmeditwillabideby),Protocol13oftheConvention,whichcallsforthetotalabolitionofthedeathpenalty.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESSINgAPORESINgAPORE
Your country is:Retentionist. CapitalpunishmentisbyhanginginSingapore.Informationaboutdeathsentencesandexecutionsisverylimited.Atleastonepersonwasexecutedin2009andatleastsixwereknowntohavebeensentencedtodeath.Theactualnumberofexecutionsanddeathsentencesisbelievedtobemuchhigher. country informationSingaporeisasmallislandstateinSouthEastAsiawithapopulationof4.7millionpeople. Your position in the debateYoumightarguethatSingaporeisoneofthesafestplacesintheworldthankstothedeathpenalty.Thegovernmentstatesthatitisonlyusedinthemostseriousofcrimes,sendingastrongmessagetowould-beoffenders.ItreallyannoysyouthatWesterncountriestrytotellthepeopleofAsiawhattodoandattempttointerfereinyourinternalaffairs.Eachcountryhastherighttodecideonitsownjudicialsystem,takingintoaccountitsowncircumstances.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESSOuTh AFRIcASOuTh AFRIcA
Your country is:Abolitionist for all crimes. SouthAfricausedtobeoneoftheworld’sleadingexecutingnationsbeforeNelsonMandelabecamePresidentin1994andSouthAfricaabolishedthedeathpenaltyforallcrimesin1997. country informationSouthAfricahasapopulationof50.1millionpeople. Your position in the debateWithincreasingcrimerates,supporthasgrownforreinstatingcapitalpunishment.In2008,JacobZuma,nowthePresidentofSouthAfrica,saidhewouldre-openthedebateoncapitalpunishment.However,hecameunderfirefromhumanrightsorganisationsandthedebatehasnotbeenreopened.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESSudANSudAN
Your country is:Retentionist. SudancarriesoutthehighestnumberofexecutionsinAfrica.BetweenJuly2008andJune2009,103peopleweresentencedtodeathbyspecialcounter-terrorismcourts.Inaddition,atleastsixpeopleweresentencedtodeathbyordinarycourtsandninewereexecuted.Capitalpunishmentisbyhanging,shootingorstoningtodeath. country informationSudanisinthenortheastofAfricaandhasapopulation of42.2million. Your position in the debateSudan’speoplearemainlyMuslim,about10percentareChristianandtherestaremostlyanimistintheirbeliefs(meaningtheyhaveaprofoundrespectforlife).YoumightpointoutthatmostSudanesestronglysupporttheargumentsintheHolyQur’aninfavourofexecutions.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
AMBASSADORBRIEFINGNOTESuSAuSA
Your country is:Retentionist. IntheUSA,statesarefreetodecideontheuseofthedeathpenalty:35of50usethedeathpenaltyand15donot.Fifty-twopeoplewereexecutedduring2009(thehighesttotalforthreeyears)bringingto1,188thetotalnumberofprisonersexecutedsincetheUSSupremeCourtliftedamoratoriumonthedeathpenaltyin1976andallowedexecutionstoresumeinJanuary1977.AminorityofUSstatescontinuetoaccountforthemajorityofexecutions:Texasexecuted24peopleduring2009.Thatsameyear,NewMexicobecamethe15thstatetooutlawthedeathpenalty. country informationTheUSAinNorthAmericahasapopulationof 314.7million. Your position in the debateDespitetheUSAshowingsomesignsofturningagainstthedeathpenalty,morestatesareinsupportofthepracticethannot.
uNITEd NATIONS Anorganisationthatwasfoundedin1945,withtheaimtofacilitateworldwidecooperationininternationallaw,internationalsecurity,economicdevelopment,socialprogressandhumanrightsissues.Therearecurrently192memberstates(countries)includingnearlyeveryrecognisedindependentstateintheworld.
uNIvERSAL dEcLARATION OF huMAN RIghTS AstatementadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheUNin1948.Thedeclarationaimstocontributeto‘freedom,justiceandpeaceintheworld’tobeachievedbyrecognitionofandrespectforhumanrights.Theserightsaredefinedin30articles,whichincluderightssuchas‘therighttolife’and‘therighttofreedomfromtorture’.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010
LESSON 2 UNFLAGuN FLAg
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH 2010