Michael Radelet, UF sociology department chair and author of The International Sourcebook on Capital Punishment, spoke for the abolition of the death penalty. In 1997, the U.N. Committee on Human Rights asked nations to consider the abolition of the death penalty, and strengthened the language of their request this year. Since 1820, when more than 100 capital offenses were committed in England, capital crimes have decreased and worldwide abolition of the death penalty has increased, he said. However, Radelet mentioned that many nations, including the United States, still allow the death penalty.
Lethal injection is the method most used for execution in America.
A total of 28 prisoners were sentenced to death for crimes committed as juveniles. Race was another factor in considering inmates on death row. Radelet said people are three to four times more likely to be sentenced to death for killing a white person than a black person. We celebrate U.N. Day to improve the quality of life in Third World countries and here in our own community. For those of us fighting we are not alone.