The death penalty is a cruel and inhumane practice. It has no place in the 21st century.

死刑残忍而且不人道。这种做法在21世纪没有存在空间。

This year’s World Day Against the Death Penalty focuses on terrorism-related offenses. Around the world, 65 countries retain the death penalty for such crimes. To be legitimate and effective, counter-terror measures, like all security operations, must be anchored in respect for human rights and the rule of law.

今年的世界反对死刑日重点是恐怖主义相关罪行。全世界有65个国家对这种罪行保留死刑。同所有安保行动一样,反恐措施必须以尊重人权和法治为基础,方才合法有效。

Yet death sentences for terrorism are often handed down after unfair and speedy trials by military or special courts. Confessions are often obtained under duress or in other ways in which the right to appeal is not respected. Some States even seek to criminalize the legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms by including vague definitions in counter-terrorism legislation.

但是,对恐怖主义作出死刑判决的往往是军事法庭或特别法庭,之前的一番审判并不公平而且仓促,口供往往以威逼或不尊重上诉权利的`其他方式获得。一些国家甚至试图凭借反恐立法中含糊其辞的定义,将合法行使基本自由的行为定为犯罪行为。

Let us be clear: participation in peaceful protests and criticism of a government – whether in private, on the Internet or in the media – are neither crimes nor terrorist acts. The threat or use of the death penalty in such cases is an egregious violation of human rights.

让我们明确