Guatemala: Death penalty to be restored

Guatemala’s federal legislature overwhelmingly approved a proposal that would end a six-year moratorium on executions. The bill would allow the president to decide on the fate of thirty “death row” prisoners by either commuting their sentences or by giving the green light to execution via lethal injection.

President Alvaro Colom- who was inaugurated last month- is expected to sign the bill into law despite his opposition to the death penalty. In the meantime, human rights groups like Amnesty International are unhappy with the proposal’s approval:

In an open letter sent [on Wednesday], Amnesty International urged Guatemalan president Álvaro Colom not to reinstate the death penalty and instead to look for more effective and lasting solutions to the public security crisis affecting the country.

Just two months ago, Guatemala voted for a global moratorium on executions at the United Nations. "President Álvaro Colom must now respect this commitment," said Sebastian Elgueta, researcher for Guatemala at Amnesty International. “Guatemala must turn its back to this archaic practice and join the overwhelming majority of countries that have already done so.”

Sources- Amnesty International, AHN, BBC News, IPS, FOX News, JURIST

Image- MSNBC