Thursday, May 21, 2009

Research studies

Death Penalty: A Human Rights Perspective
By: Reena Mary George
Guided by: Retired Justice Hosbet Suresh


Considering that the use of death penalty in India is a threat to fundamental human rights, the topic of this study, “Death Penalty: A Human Rights Perspective” is crucial. The main objectives was to study the impact of death penalty on the social, mental, and physical being of the inmate and to study the perception of opinion leaders on death penalty with reference to human rights. The study also sought to tackle the following questions: What are the living conditions of the death penalty inmates? In what ways does the current operation of death penalty in India conflicts with human rights? What are the alternatives to death penalty? What way can the study give them an opportunity to speak about their lives; their hardships as a death row inmate?

The inmates were contacted after seeking permission from the Director Inspector General. Data from the inmates was collected through prison visits. This study used a case study method. The study includes incerpts by the death row inmates themselves. It also captures the journey of the researcher in an Indian Prison Setting and the opposition by State to carry this study. The findings show that their family, their mental capacities and their physical health have been impacted in a very negative way. It further reveals the living conditions of prisoners in solitary confinement, incidents of torture to extract confession and the death row phenomenon.

It concludes with certain questions raised by the death row inmates. The recommendation is to abolish death penalty however in the interim period; there are certain facilities that the inmates should receive. It spells out that the State should be held guilty of killing people in their custody. India needs to recognise that we have a very bad standing in the world if we treat our fellow beings by hanging them and killing them in the most degrading, humiliating and cruel way. If India has pledged for a larger cause of humanity, why does it not keep her promise? Why should India wait for the rest of the world to shame us into abolishing death penalty?

2 comments:

  1. How can I access this study, can you provide a link here?

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  2. This is an unpublished study. You may find this in the department of civic and political science, University of Mumbai.

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