The War on Drugs in Mexico: Death Penalty and Extrajudicial Execution Amaya Ordorika Imaz - Animal Politico
go to original October 23, 2015

Flashmob | World Day Against Death Sentences (UltrasHashtag)

October 10 is the World Day Against the Death Penalty. This year, organizations from all over the world took advantage of it to position ourselves against the death penalty, particular its application in the war on drugs.

Currently, about 33 countries or territories impose the death penalty for drug crimes. About 1,000 people are executed annually for this type of crime, and for some countries, they represent the majority of total executions.

Iran, a country with one of the highest rates of executions for drug crimes, has carried out more than 2,500 executions in the last few years, and more than 500 so far in 2015. Iranian authorities have said 80 percent of people sentenced to death were sentenced for crimes related to drugs.

In Indonesia, where it appeared the death penalty was on its way out, the current president Joko Widono decided to restart this practice. Since October 2014, they have executed 14 people by firing squad, all for drug crimes. Currently, there are at least 33 people sentenced to death for drug crimes.

In its recent report "Study on the global impact of drugs in the enjoyment of human rights", the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights identified the death penalty for drug crimes as an obstacle for guaranteeing respect for the right to life. In this report, the office restated article six of the International Pact for Political and Civil Rights, which says that in those states in which the death penalty has not been abolished, a death sentence should only be applied for "the most serious crimes." It notes that the United Nations Human Rights Consul has determined that drug crimes do not meet the criteria for "most serious crimes."

Read the rest at Mexico Voices

Translated by Rachel Alexander

Mexico Voices is a blogging endeavor aimed at raising the awareness of U.S. citizens regarding the destructive impact of the U.S. economic policy and the War on Drugs on Mexico — on its people, their economic and physical security and their human rights, on the nation’s dysfunctional justice system, and on the rule of law and Mexico’s fragile democracy. Visit the website at MexicoVoices.blogspot.mx

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