In celebration of the 15th World Day Against the Death Penalty and the 40th anniversary of the last execution in France, the country on Tuesday reiterated its stand on the universal abolition of the death penalty.
The French government emphasized that it is opposed to death penalty everywhere and under all circumstances. As it mentioned countries who still implement it, their statement also called on the Philippines.
“France is also concerned about the determination of the Philippine authorities to reintroduce the death penalty, following its abolition in 2016,” the statement said.
The said government signaled their concern on the continued practice of death penalty in countries like China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq, and the United States. They also touched the executions in Nigeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
On the other hand, the French government said they welcome Mongolia’s decision to abolish the dreaded law.
Earlier, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar stressed that there is no extrajudicial killings (EJK) in the country because there is no death penalty here.
However, President Rodrigo Duterte has been vocal during his campaign and now as president, on his stand that its re-imposition is the only way ‘instill fear’ for people to stop committing crimes.
“That’s the advantage of criminals and rebels and terrorists because they think that you are afraid to die,” Duterte said during his State of the Nation Address in 2017.
In March, the House of Representatives approved the bill to return death penalty for its 3rd and final reading. 216 congressmen affirmed, 54 were against, and one abstained. Through Bill 4727, judges are allowed to punish violators on seven drug-related crimes either by life imprisonment or death. It can be done through hanging, firing squad, or lethal injection.
Before going to the Vatican in 2006, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo abolished the law on death penalty.