Question

Which of the following international instruments provide for the abolition of death penalty?

• A. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• B. First Optional Protocol to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• C. Second Optional Protocol to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• D. Optional Protocol to International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Hint:

The Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR is specifically aimed at abolishing the death penalty, while other instruments focus on different aspects of human rights.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

1. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): This covenant affirms the right to life, but it does not specifically abolish the death penalty.
2. First Optional Protocol to ICCPR: This protocol allows individuals to submit complaints to the UN Human Rights Committee, but it does not abolish the death penalty.
3. Second Optional Protocol to ICCPR: This is the key instrument that aims to abolish the death penalty. It focuses on the abolition of capital punishment globally, aligning with the principles of the right to life.
4. Optional Protocol to Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: This protocol does not deal with the abolition of the death penalty and focuses on the rights related to economic, social, and cultural matters.