Capital Punishment In The Bahamas

Capital punishment has been recognized by law in history dating back as far as 18th Century B.C. However, many countries today are steadily shifting away from the practice as a method of enforcement of justice. As of today hundreds of countries have completely eradicated the practice of executing individuals for all crimes. Nonetheless, many other nations are also continuing the age-old practice. The approach to capital punishment varies from country to country as a result of the individual cultures. One nation may feel as though the law should be buried as an ancient practice, while another nation may see it as necessary for order within a modern society. Many nations also consider the death penalty to be cruel and inhumane which is the reason

However, the dissimilarity between Iran and The Bahamas comes about in the enforcement of capital punishment. Despite being legal in The Bahamas, nobody in the country has been executed in over a decade. This is in complete contrast to Iran where several hundred persons are executed annually and thousands sentenced to death. The cryogenic state of the country’s implementation of the death penalty is as a result of the Privy Council’s involvement in the country’s affairs. The Privy Council acts as The Bahamas’ final Court of Appeal. This body overseas matters regarding capital punishment and over the years it has placed enforcement of this law on an indefinite suspension known as a moratorium. This moratorium has resulted in many persons initially sentenced to be put to death to be resentenced. Persons resentenced were either given lengthy prison sentences or had their cases overturned. In my opinion, The Bahamas’ political stance against capital punishment is unstructured in comparison to that of Iran where the death penalty is both carried out and written down into law without

Citizens within the two countries have either separate or supportive attitudes towards the country’s views on capital punishment. In The Bahamas a greater majority of the population is for capital punishment than those against the practice. This is especially the case of those persons linked to murder victims and victims of other heinous crimes. It greatly frustrates Bahamians to see the murder count rising annually and feeling as though the government is not taking steps to enforce laws which may deter crime. I can recall many instances on national television and social media where persons suggest that the government enforce the death penalty in the form of protests and writings. The country’s own prime minister can even be quoted stating “I am for capital punishment”. One may ask “If a large portion of citizens are for capital punishment then why is it not carried out?” A valid question, however, for capital punishment to be implemented legislators would have to change laws in the constitution regarding the death penalty. Bahamians are vocal in expressing their views since the nation is democratic, unlike the autocratic Iran government. As previously stated, The Bahamas’ highest court of appeal is a foreign monarchial group known as the Privy Council who are against the enforcement of capital punishment in the nation. Legislators would have to remove them from being the