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.