Public executions
Nature
Public executions are the practice of carrying out death sentences in front of an audience. Historically intended as a deterrent and a display of state power, public executions are now widely regarded as a human rights problem. They subject individuals to extreme humiliation and suffering, foster a culture of violence, and can traumatize witnesses, including children. International organizations, such as the United Nations, condemn public executions as inhumane and degrading, urging their abolition. The continued use of public executions in some countries highlights ongoing challenges in upholding human dignity and advancing global standards of justice and human rights.
Background
Public executions have been documented across civilizations for centuries, often serving as instruments of state power and public deterrence. Their global prevalence became a subject of international concern in the 19th century, as reformers and observers highlighted their brutalizing effects on societies. The 20th century saw growing condemnation, with human rights organizations systematically recording incidents and advocating abolition, leading to increased scrutiny and debate over their continued practice in certain countries.
Incidence
In 1993, Amnesty International reported that public executions in Saudi Arabia have reached "shocking proportions" in the past year, with a fourfold increase to 105 in the number of people being beheaded publically. The executions often followed grossly unfair trials. One Shi'ite Muslim was beheaded after being convicted of blasphemy and renouncing his faith. He was arrested for throwing stones three years before his execution, and was reportedly tortured and held in solitary confinement for long periods.
Claim
Public executions are a grave violation of human rights and dignity, perpetuating a culture of violence and fear. They desensitize societies to brutality, undermine justice, and inflict irreversible psychological harm on witnesses, especially children. Such barbaric practices have no place in a modern, civilized world. It is imperative that we condemn and abolish public executions everywhere, as they represent a profound moral and ethical failure that threatens the very fabric of humanity.
Counter-claim
Public executions are not an important problem in today’s world. They are virtually nonexistent in most countries and have no significant impact on modern society. With far more pressing issues like poverty, climate change, and healthcare demanding our attention, focusing on public executions is a distraction. Energy and resources should be directed toward real, current challenges rather than outdated practices that no longer play a meaningful role in global affairs.
Broader
Aggravated by
Related
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
- Government » Public
Content quality
Unpresentable
Language
English
1A4N
J5406
DOCID
12054060
D7NID
174877
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Oct 4, 2020