Punishment should be secure and proportionate to the crime, but should also be directed at restoring the criminal, wherever possible, to being a constructive member of society. At the dawn of a new millennium, it is befitting that humanity becomes more humane and less cruel. At the end of a century which has seen unimaginable atrocities against the dignity of the human person and his or her inviolable rights, giving serious consideration to the abolition of the death penalty will be a remarkable undertaking for humanity. Abolition of the death penalty, laudable though it is, is only one step towards creating a deeper respect for human life. If millions of budding lives are eliminated at their very roots, and if the family of nations can take for granted such crimes without a disturbed conscience, the argument for the abolition of capital punishment will become less credible.
Human life demands protection and deserves respect.
That protection and respect should be upheld at all stages of human life and everywhere in the world. The discussion on restricting and abolishing the death penalty demands of States a new awareness of the sacredness of life and the respect it deserves. In doing so there is sure to be a better humanity.