CCSJ urges gov’t to reconsider death penalty

The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) has called for a significant shift in the country’s stance on capital punishment as the World Day Against the Death Penalty was marked on Thursday, October 10. Via media release issued prior to the day, the CCSJ urged the government to adopt a de jure moratorium on the death penalty, aligning with United Nations recommendations.

Despite being classified as a retentionist country, Trinidad and Tobago has not carried out an execution since July 1999. This de facto moratorium has been in place due to challenges in meeting the conditions set by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, as acknowledged by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

In the release, the CCSJ argued that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent to crime and does not foster respect for life. Instead, they advocate for non-lethal means of accountability and a focus on crime prevention and integral human development. This stance is in line with the Catholic Church’s position, which deems the death penalty “inadmissible” due to its attack on human dignity.

Globally, the trend is moving away from capital punishment, with 112 countries now fully abolitionist and 23 abolitionist in practice. The CCSJ said that there is no evidence suggesting abolitionist countries are less safe than those retaining the death penalty.

As Trinidad and Tobago celebrates its 62nd year of independence and 48th year as a republic, “the CCSJ encourages national reflection on more effective ways to reduce crime and violence”. They asserted that capital punishment is not the solution to the country’s social challenges and called for a renewed focus on building a just and peaceful society through alternative means.

—Assisted generation using Claude.ai