It is our responsibility as leaders and representatives to hold fast to our values and implement criminal justice policies that fully respect the human rights of all.

Each year, more States opt to declare a moratorium on the use of capital punishment or abolish it entirely; yet, a few outliers have in the recent years been vocal about resuming executions or reintroducing the death penalty in their domestic legal system, including some of the most authoritarian regimes.

Most recently, the United States Justice Department announced on 25 July 2019 that the federal government would resume executions, putting the country at odds with the global trend towards abolition of the death penalty. This policy reversal follows a 16-year de facto moratorium on capital punishment at the federal level. Twenty-one U.S. states also have officially abolished the death penalty, including most recently, the state of New Hampshire, thanks to an initiative spearheaded by Rep. Renny Cushing, member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and PGA Member. A further four states have Governor-imposed moratoria, including California, Colorado, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, and several others are reconsidering the effectiveness and relevancy of capital punishment.

A step backward on the abolitionist path anywhere in the world is a concern to us all and, as members of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), we oppose such initiatives in all countries. However, when influential and powerful States revert their position in such a way, the consequences are felt beyond their borders and can imperil efforts by courageous activists against the death penalty across the globe.

For example, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain specifically mentioned the use of capital punishment in the United States in a statement on the recent executions of two men who were convicted after a grossly unfair trial, on the basis of purported confessions elicited by alleged acts of torture.

We strongly denounce any decision that promotes capital punishment, renew our commitment to the abolitionist struggle, and stand in support of our American colleagues who have used their legislative and political prerogatives to oppose the death penalty. In particular, PGA warmly welcomes the initiatives of Rep. Ayanna Pressley, member of the United States House of Representatives, and PGA Member Sen. Richard Durbin, member of the United States Senate, who both introduced legislation to outlaw capital punishment (respectively H.R. 4052 and S.2390).

Despite the challenges and threats, most of our countries have rejected the death penalty or are moving towards abolition and, for decades, have not carried out executions. All of this only makes us, leaders of the abolitionist fight, more committed. Hon. Marguerite Dissaké, Member of the National Assembly of Cameroon and PGA Member

Democratic principles are fragile; we cannot take for granted that the safeguards on our rights will not be overturned in the future. The death penalty is a cruel and irremediable penalty that belongs to the past, and it is disheartening that some governments choose to turn their back on the progress made on the path to abolition. As parliamentarians, we should use our prerogatives to uphold human rights and ensure that the headway our society has made is not lost. Hon. Tucapel Jimenez, Member of the House of Deputies of Chile and member of PGA’s Executive Committee

We cannot underestimate the impact the United States can have throughout the world. Although members of the Philippines Senate, including myself, have thus far been able to block any attempt of the Executive to reintroduce the death penalty in our legal system, from which it was abolished in 2006, this decision of the American government only serves to undercut our efforts and justify the policy-choices of governments who completely disregard human rights. I can only urge our American counterparts to take urgent action against the resumption of executions in their country and to promote human rights throughout the world. Hon. Leila de Lima, Member of the Senate of the Philippines and PGA Member

I call on our American colleagues to use all their weight in opposing the use of the death penalty. Not only is it a cruel and inhuman, but it has long been a tool of oppression against minorities and political opponents. Matters that so profoundly affect human rights should not be partisan issues and should prompt us to unify to stop our institutions from killing in our name. Hon. Dorcas Sibanda, Member of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe and PGA Member

Calling for capital punishment to be reinstated is a simplistic appeal to people’s emotions and distress in the face of horrific crimes. Many activists, including parliamentarians, are making huge efforts to raise awareness about the fact that the death penalty is not only utterly ineffective in deterring crimes, but also highly discriminatory and a gateway to a systematic use of torture. It is our responsibility as leaders and representatives of our respective peoples to hold fast to our values and implement criminal justice policies that fully respect the human rights of all. I urge Members of Congress to do everything they possibly can against the use of capital punishment. Ms. Julie Ward, Member of European Parliament from the United-Kingdom and PGA Member