Read on Twitter
1/ The term ‘death row’ has been used frequently in public discourse during the past week due to a person sentenced to death taking oaths as MP. Since manner in which term is being used implies acceptance of death penalty/row, purpose of thread is to dispel myths re death row.
2/The majority of persons on death row seem to have been convicted for crimes that are not premeditated but committed due to sudden provocation/heat of passion. As per Dept of Prisons stats, majority on death row have no history of criminality & it is their first time in prison.
3/In 2018, of 168 sentenced to death, 137 were from rural areas. 13 had income of Rs 250 & under Rs 300 per month, & 5 had no income. Majority from economically disadvantaged backgrounds & engaged in unskilled, informal sector occupations or low pay occupations in formal sector.
4/Most death row prisoners lack legal awareness, couldn’t afford a lawyer & hence couldn’t mount a vigorous defense against charges. As Prof Ravindra Fernando said in 2018, new technology on evidence gathering & analysis not used, which can prevent accused from proving innocence.
5/Death row prisoners deemed ‘high risk’ & hence locked in their cells/wards entire day & allowed outside for only 30-60 mins a day. Also need additional guards to transport them, even to an external hospital. Inhabit severely over crowded buildings that are often dilapidated.
6/Cells & wards often lack proper ventilation & natural light due to which many long term prisoners said their eyesight was adversely affected. Prisoners said they had depression & anxiety which interferes with their daily functioning.
7/Prisoners said because they are on death row their families face social stigma & discrimination. Some said police reports that were issued to their children to submit to prospective employers stated the parent is on death row, which adversely impacted employment opportunities.
8/Erroneous argument that death penalty-> eradicate drug trade. To curb drug trafficking we need to prevent drugs from being trafficked into SL, which requires info sharing b/n countries. Many countries don’t share info with countries where prosecution will lead to death sentence
9/ Good to recall conclusion of Morris Commission apptd in 1958 by Parliament of SL that there is no evidence to prove death penalty has a deterrent effect on crime. It also pointed to factual errors in media reporting that misled on need for & effectiveness of death penalty.
