Why executions should be public

Public opinion polls show that support for the death penalty is currently near historic lows after peaking in and declining over the last 25 years. In a democracy, the substance of the laws is determined by the people. Even the constitution can be changed through the democratic process. Public sentiment can be measured through polling, but it is also reflected in elections and referenda, both on a local and national level.

There is a long history of polls of asking the public whether they favor or oppose the death penalty for the crime of murder. The last one was carried out in Owensboro, Kentucky, in when Rainey Bethea was hanged after his conviction for the rape and murder of a year-old woman.

Four others, Colorado, Pennsylvania, California and neighbouring state Oregon have Governor imposed moratorium, which is a suspension of a law until deemed worthy again. It is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

The death penalty is discriminatory. It is often used against the most vulnerable in society, including the poor, ethnic and religious minorities, and people with mental disabilities. Some governments use it to silence their opponents. Ethnicity of defendants on death row Comparatively, the U. Census Bureau Twenty-two prisoners were executed in the United States in Seven states carried out executions. An unexpected error occurred. In , according to Rosstat, there were 7, murders, and the homicide rate in Russia fell below the United States for the first time in recent history, falling to 4.

Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. The calls come from journalists seeking open access to the execution of the man convicted of the worst act of terrorism on U. But the groups are also divided, with many saying public viewing of the execution would not be a good thing.

Their reasons vary as widely as their views on capital punishment. McVeigh himself has said he wants his execution broadcast, which has fueled arguments by those who believe it should not be televised. McVeigh lawyer Rob Nigh Jr. Attorney General John Ashcroft ruled last month that 10 relatives of victims of the Oklahoma City bombing would be allowed to view McVeigh's execution firsthand, while another would be given the chance to see it on closed circuit television.

But he said there would be no wider public viewing. Anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean called for the event to be aired, saying that is the best way to put an end to executions. But some opponents of the death penalty, such as Amaju Baraka of Amnesty International, say their opposition to capital punishment does not allow them to condone even one execution — even if public viewing of the event would galvanize opposition.