Last week, the European Union announced a fairly radical stance on the use of capital punishment. For the first time, the EU said the death penalty should be abolished globally.

Of course, there are some convicted criminals who have been wrongfully executed, but for the victims of the real killers their deaths provides some modicum of justice. However, allowing true criminals to remain free is ridiculous. How far should we extend justice?

Ever since the existence of human life, punishment by execution has been a common occurrence. Take for example, the beheadings of 27 noblemen in Prague at the turn of the 17th century. Standing below the astronomical clock on the pale red stained cobblestones, one begins to envision such barbaric and dreadful acts. Even today there are several cases of wrongful execution and the raging debate against “cruel and unusual punishment” continues. The 8th amendment protects us from unjust punishment, but the effectiveness of this right is questionable for some.

This year, five men were released from death row after newly considered evidence proved their innocence. For instance, Yancy Douglas and Paris Powell were exonerated after serving more than fourteen years on death row for murder charges. Surprisingly, their convictions were based on testimony from an illegitimate gang member. Not only was he a rival gang member of the two wrongfully convicted men, but he admitted to never witnessing the incident because he was drunk and high that night. Yet, he was promised less prison time for his testimony. These are only two examples of the 130 death row inmates released since 1973 because of wrongful conviction.

Some are less fortunate, however, and evidence proving guilt comes after execution. A recent report establishes that an executed death row inmate from Texas was wrongfully executed for the accidental death of his family. After knowing that Cameron Willingham dashed back into his burning home to rescue his children, causing his hair to catch on fire, prosecutors were determined that he had intentionally set the fire. Later investigations, found the burn and charring pattern inside the home was consistent with an accidental house fire, which would have preserved Willingham’s life.

Even so, there are countless murderers who commit heinous crimes and torture innocent people that deserve some form of punishment. Our legal system must bring justice to the victims of ruthless crimes, but the extent of this retribution is still argued by legal counselors and human rights activists. Is the EU out of bounds in requesting that punishment by execution be abolished or is this a necessary step in protecting basic human rights?

To find out more visit:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2009/08/video-flashover.html?xrail

http://www.aclu.org/intlhumanrights/gen/41264prs20091009.html?s_src=RSS

http://eji.org/eji/deathpenalty/wrongfulconvictions