HRC40: UK Statement on the use of the Death Penalty
The UK outlined its continued opposition to the use of the death penalty, particularly against juveniles, and encouraged the global abolition of the death penalty.
The UK’s long-standing policy is to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. The UK believes that its use undermines human dignity, that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value, and that any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable.
The UK presses for the reduced use of the death penalty overseas, through multilateral institutions and through targeted bilateral interventions. We continue to be a strong supporter of the UN General Assembly Resolution for the moratorium on the use of the death penalty, and welcomed it receiving its highest ever level of international support in December.
We encourage incremental reform and progress towards global abolition of the death penalty. We were delighted that the Malaysian government announced its intention to abolish the death penalty and hope that necessary legislation passes through parliament smoothly. We were also pleased to hear that the Caribbean Court of Justice declared the mandatory use of the death penalty unconstitutional in Barbados.
The UK remains very concerned about the continued use of the death penalty around the world. We deplore any failure to observe the relevant international standards, defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and call for an end to the use of the death penalty against juvenile and vulnerable offenders. The UK condemns human rights violations related to the use of the death penalty, and advocates the rights to non-discrimination and equality, especially for targeted and vulnerable groups, religious minorities, the LGBTI community and those suffering with mental illness.