NCJ Number
145504
Date Published
1988
Length
37 pages
Annotation
Nine safeguards are discussed.
Abstract
This report contains observations for consideration by the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control with respect to the implementation of the nine safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty. Also included is a summary of the progress towards the abolition of the death penalty. Substantive observations were obtained from information provided by 74 member states and the American Correctional Association. Briefly, the safeguards discussed are: the imposition of capital punishment only for the most serious crimes and only for crimes for which the death penalty was prescribed by law at the time of its commission; the exemption from the death penalty for those persons below 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the crime, pregnant women, new mothers, or the insane; the establishment of guilt by clear and convincing evidence; the adherence to fair trial safeguards; a mandatory right to appeal and to seek a pardon or commutation of a death sentence and the suspension of imposition of a death sentence pending an appeal, pardon, or commutation; and the minimization of suffering when carrying out a death sentence. An annex to this report contains a list of capital offenses in responding countries.