The death penalty is one of the oldest crimes in the world.

History records, this punishment has even

existed since the time of ancient civilizations. However, now, this punishment was slowly being
abandoned. Many countries have decided to abolish the death penalty as a punishment. Indonesia is
one of the countries that still maintains this punishment. However, the implementation of the death
penalty has been rejected for a long time

One reason is that the death penalty is considered a violation of human rights.

The reason for the death penalty is considered a violation of human rights People who are against the
death penalty consider that the punishment is inhumane and against the principles of just and civilized
humanity, as stated in Pancasila. One of the controversies regarding the death penalty arises because of
the second amendment to Article 28A and 28I Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution which states that
everyone has the right to live and has the right to defend his life and life. This right is a human right that
cannot be reduced under any circumstances and by anyone, including the state. With the death penalty
still in effect, parties who disagree consider that the state has robbed the person concerned of his right
to life. On this basis, the death penalty is considered a punishment that violates human rights. In
addition, people who oppose the death penalty also do not match the purpose of punishment, namely
to prevent people from committing crimes, and not revenge. The death penalty is considered unable to
eliminate crime in society

reasons why the death penalty should be abolished:

1. People sentenced to death cannot be brought back to life, even though mistakes can occur. For
example, since 1973, more than 160 inmates who were sentenced to death in the United States were
later released because they were found not guilty or the verdicts proved disproportionate to their
crimes.

2. The death penalty can be discriminatory against those with social and economic backgrounds who are
considered weaker. Those who are socially and economically marginalized may find it more difficult to
access legal aid. For example, in the case of narcotics, socio-economic factors that increase risk or cause
people to engage in drug trafficking are often overlooked: these include poor health, denial of access to
education, lack of employment opportunities, lack of adequate housing, poverty, discrimination, and
gender based violence. They can be more disadvantaged in the criminal justice system.

3. The death penalty is often used in an unfair justice system. In many of the cases recorded by Amnesty
International, people were executed after being convicted in grossly unfair trials, on the basis of false
evidence obtained as a result of torture and with inadequate legal assistance The death penalty is not
effective in reducing crime. Executing countries usually believe the death penalty is a last resort to
prevent people from committing crimes. However, there is no evidence that the death penalty is more
effective in reducing crime than life imprisonment. The death penalty also often makes the state feel
'relieved', and forgets the systemic changes that actually need to be made to eliminate crime.

5. The death penalty is often used as a political tool. Authorities in some countries, such as Iran and
Sudan, use the death penalty to punish political opponents. The death penalty is also often used as a
'sedative' for frightened citizens, despite the fact that execution is not the most effective way to actually
eradicate crime.

example The death penalty does not solve the main problem of drug-related crimes.

In Indonesia, death sentences for narcotics-related crimes increased from 48 people in 2018 to 80
people in 2019. Although more and more people are sentenced to death, the National Narcotics Agency
data shows that the number of narcotics users throughout 2019 increased by 0.03% to 3.6 million people
compared to the provious year. In many countries, narcotics-related crime has been seen as a systemic
problem covering social, economic, and public health inequalities. For example, there are people who
are forced to sell drugs because it is difficult to pay for their living. Rehabilitation, effective correctional
facilities, and efforts to close inequality can be more appropriate solutions to solve the problems that
cause people to sell or use drugs. solutions to avoid the death penalty If found guilty, a commutation
policy (change in the sentence for death row inmates) could be an alternative solution. In the case of a
life sentence, parole must also be an option when a life sentence is applied. Currently, 142 countries
have abolished the practice of the death penalty. As long as an inmate is alive, they can go through
rehabilitation to improve their behavior so they don't repeat the crime in the future, or even be released
if proven

conclusion

The death penalty is a symptom of a culture of violence, not a solution to it. Punishment, in addition to
aiming to provide a deterrent effect and provide a sense of justice, must also be effective in reducing the
risk of recurrence while respecting human rights.