The United Nations Human Rights Office has raised alarm over the scheduled executions of two men in the United States, expressing concern over a surge in the country’s use of the death penalty. This follows a series of six executions carried out in five different states over 12 days last month, marking what the UN described as a troubling escalation.
In a statement delivered on Wednesday, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango highlighted the cases of Robert Roberson, set to be executed on 17 October in Texas, and Derrick Ryan Dearman, whose execution is scheduled for the same day in Alabama. Magango underscored particular concerns regarding Roberson’s case, noting “substantial evidence of wrongful conviction.”
“We are seriously concerned by the impending execution of these two men,” Magango stated, stressing the rising rate of executions as “deeply worrying.”
The UN reaffirmed its unequivocal opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances, reiterating that it violates the fundamental right to life and carries the unacceptable risk of executing innocent individuals. The UN spokesperson further pointed out that extensive research suggests capital punishment has little to no impact on deterring crime.
“We oppose the death penalty as a matter of policy in all circumstances,” Magango said. “It is incompatible with the right to life and poses an unacceptable risk of wrongful executions.”
Magango called on the United States to align itself with the global trend toward abolishing the death penalty, urging the country to take immediate action by imposing a moratorium on executions.
“We urge the United States to join the growing global consensus towards the universal abolition of the death penalty, beginning by promptly halting executions,” he added.
The United States remains one of the few industrialized nations that continues to carry out capital punishment, despite increasing domestic and international calls to end the practice. The UN has long advocated for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty, emphasizing that justice systems, no matter how robust, are fallible.
This latest appeal comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the US justice system’s use of the death penalty, with advocacy groups and human rights organizations pointing to racial disparities, wrongful convictions, and the lack of conclusive evidence showing that the practice deters violent crime.
