Country

advertisement
Country/
Organization: Uganda
Delegate: Benjamin Jesse Freeman: Indian Hills High School
Committee: Committee on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Topic: Death Penalty as is Relates to Foreign Nationals
The Committee on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice has brought to question
the practice of the death penalty. The death penalty, or capital punishment, has long been
a controversial subject. Some argue that it is inhumane and constitutes cruel and unusual
punishment while others argue that the practice helps to deter criminals from committing
crimes. Currently, only fifty-five states use the death penalty. In Africa, ten states have
abolished capital punishment. Concerning Africa, capital punishment is often used
without being formally declared. In Uganda, capital punishment is still used because of
the success of the practice as well as it upstanding legally.
In June 2005, a case was presented to the Uganda Court of Appeals concerning
the practice of capital punishment. Several death row inmates presented a case that
attempted to ban capital punishment. They argued that the method of execution was
hanging and the long delays that often occurred before executions constituted “cruel and
inhumane treatment of prisoners.” The court ruled against their appeal stating that the
practice of capital punishment is constitutional because it is “punishment after due
process.” However, the court did rule that the mandating the use of capital punishment
for some crimes is unconstitutional. Therefore, making capital punishment the mandatory
punishment for certain crimes is no longer allowed in Uganda. As a result, Uganda is
making steps toward a more humane justice system.
In 2002, a Ugandan court marshal ordered the execution of two Ugandan soldiers
for the murder of Irish Priest Father Declan O'Toole. This execution brought about a
worldwide issue to abolish capital punishment in Uganda along with the rest of the world.
Interestingly, the last execution ordered by a non-military court in Uganda was in 1999.
Uganda maintains it right to use capital punishment for deserving crimes as well
as the execution of foreign nationals. There is evidence that shows that the death penalty
has effectively reduced the number of serious crimes. Also, each state itself has the right,
which precludes the international community’s opinion, to make the death penalty legal
or illegal. Criminals think before they commit a serious crime because of the use of
capital punishment. Also, prisoners who are on death row but would serve life sentences
without the possibility of parole if capital punishment was not used would have very little
importance. Imprisonment for life could lead to possible escape attempts and could also
stimulate aggression because the prisoner would realize the have no hope of being free.
“Capital punishment, on the other hand, provides a permanent solution that ensures a
criminal will no longer torment society or fellow inmates.”
The United Nations has been host to numerous international conferences
regarding the death penalty and it use. It is believed by most nations that the United
Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights’ prohibits the use of the death penalty
and encourages nations that maintain the practice, to only issue death under the most
severe crimes.
Uganda is willing to work towards a more humane justice system worldwide but
maintains it right to use capital punishment. Delegates opposing this practice should note
that although one may find the practice inhumane, it stops many criminals BEFORE they
commit their crime. The nation of Uganda would support any actions that would allow
nations to maintain their sovereignty and allow themselves to make the decision
concerning capital punishment. Also, Uganda is willing to stop certain specific practices
of unjust sentences to death.
Download