The Human Rights Law Service (HURILAW) and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty have called for a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty as a result of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic. The group said it is contradictory to kill someone when the whole world is struggling to save lives from the pandemic. “When the whole world is trying hard to save lives from COVID-19, an execution by the state is contradictory and perverse” said Kevin Miguel Rivera Medina, President of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. “For example, Cameroon, Kenya, Morocco and Zimbabwe have granted commutations, which also extended to those sentenced to death. “This October 10, civil society will mobilize to celebrate the 18th World Day Against the Death Penalty, which will focus on the right to legal representation and highlight the role of lawyers in protecting those facing the death penalty.

Source: The Guardian June 09, 2020 04:07 UTC