As is already known, one of the fundamental human rights is the 'the right to life' and over the years, efforts have been made to ensure that this right is protected by law.
However, there are still some practices that contradicts what this right represents, some of which are even backed by the laws governing some states. One of such practices is the 'death penalty'.
The death penalty or capital punishment as some may call it, continues to be legitimate and practiced in a number of states around the world. Common crimes that attracts death penalty are ; murder, treason, war crimes and so on.
Through the efforts of human rights activists and the United Nations (UN), the extent to which this punishment can be applied has been limited. Persons who commit acts of murder in self defense are now protected from this punishment. Also political prisoners or rebels who initially took up arms due to different political beliefs, but later express willingness to drops arms are offered amnesty instead of the usual 'death penalty'.
Should death penalty be abolished? we know that this will lead to an increase in crimes that warrants this punishment. Or should it still be practiced knowing that this will make one of the fundamental human rights: 'right to life' hold lesser meaning? One would wisely suggest that a balance be struck. yes, not abolishing it, but limiting it's application only to very extreme cases.
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