The death penalty is a cruel and inhumane practice. It has no place in the 21st century.

死刑殘忍而且不人道。這種做法在21世紀沒有存在空間。

This year’s World Day Against the Death Penalty focuses on terrorism-related offenses. Around the world, 65 countries retain the death penalty for such crimes. To be legitimate and effective, counter-terror measures, like all security operations, must be anchored in respect for human rights and the rule of law.

今年的世界反對死刑日重點是恐怖主義相關罪行。全世界有65個國家對這種罪行保留死刑。同所有安保行動一樣,反恐措施必須以尊重人權和法治為基礎,方才合法有效。

Yet death sentences for terrorism are often handed down after unfair and speedy trials by military or special courts. Confessions are often obtained under duress or in other ways in which the right to appeal is not respected. Some States even seek to criminalize the legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms by including vague definitions in counter-terrorism legislation.

但是,對恐怖主義作出死刑判決的往往是軍事法庭或特別法庭,之前的一番審判并不公平而且倉促,口供往往以威逼或不尊重上訴權利的其他方式獲得。一些國家甚至試圖憑借反恐立法中含糊其辭的定義,將合法行使基本自由的行為定為犯罪行為。

Let us be clear: participation in peaceful protests and criticism of a government – whether in private, on the Internet or in the media – are neither crimes nor terrorist acts. The threat or use of the death penalty in such cases is an egregious violation of human rights.

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