The application of the death penalty varies according to the laws of each country and

state. In general, it is usually applied in serious homicide cases, especially when they
involve aggravating circumstances, such as serial murders, hate crimes, terrorism, or
murders committed during the commission of another serious crime, such as kidnapping
or rape.
United States: The death penalty is legal in some US states and is used in cases of
serious murder. However, its application has decreased in recent years.
China: China is one of the countries with the highest number of executions, although the
exact number is a state secret and is not publicly disclosed.
Iran: Iran also carries out a high number of executions, mainly for drug-related crimes
and homicides.
Saudi Arabia: The death penalty is applied in Saudi Arabia for a variety of crimes,
including murder, drug trafficking, and drug-related crimes.
North Korea: In North Korea, the death penalty is used in cases of treason, espionage,
and other serious crimes.
Pakistan: The death penalty is used in cases of murder, terrorism and blasphemy.
Vietnam: In Vietnam, the death penalty is applied to serious crimes such as drug
trafficking and homicide.
Here are some situations where the death penalty was applied incorrectly:

Wrongful Convictions: Numerous cases have been documented in which people were
sentenced to death and then released after their innocence was proven through new
evidence, such as DNA testing. These miscarriages of justice have led to the wrongful
execution of innocent people.

Racial discrimination: In some places, the death penalty has been shown to be applied
disproportionately to people of certain races or ethnic groups, raising concerns about
racial bias in the criminal justice system.

Unfair trials: In some cases, unfair trials were conducted with poor defense, false
evidence, or coerced testimony, resulting in wrongful convictions.

Minors and the mentally disabled: In several countries, people who were minors at the
time of the crime or who had mental disabilities have been executed, which goes against
international human rights standards.
Corruption: In some jurisdictions, corruption in the criminal justice system has led to the
unjust application of the death penalty, where wealthy or powerful people avoid
conviction while others are unjustly executed.
Human Rights Watch: This organization also provides information on the death penalty
and works to defend human rights around the world. Website: Human Rights Watch
Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC): This center provides factual information and
statistics about the death penalty in the United States, including recent cases, reports,
and related news. Website: DPIC United Nations (UN): The UN website includes
information on the death penalty as part of its work on human rights and legal affairs.
Juan Melendez-Colon case: Juan Melendez-Colon spent almost 18 years on death row
in Florida before being exonerated and released in 2002. He was convicted of a murder
he did not commit due to DNA evidence and false testimony .

Gary Graham Case (Shaka Sankofa): Gary Graham was executed in Texas in 2000 for a
murder that occurred when he was a teenager. His conviction was controversial due to a
lack of solid evidence and concerns about inadequate legal representation.

Carlos DeLuna Case: Carlos DeLuna was executed in Texas in 1989 for a murder
committed by another man with a similar name. His case highlights the potential for
misidentification of suspects and poor legal representation.
He was sentenced to a long prison sentence, although Colombian law stipulates that the
maximum sentence is 40 years, but due to his collaboration with justice and other
factors, he could be eligible for parole after serving part of his sentence. .

The case of Luis Alfredo Garavito has generated intense debate about criminal justice,
the prison system and the safety of children in Colombia and elsewhere. His story is a
tragic reminder of the importance of protecting the most vulnerable in society and
ensuring justice in cases of heinous crimes.