The US state of Idaho still uses the death penalty. In addition to sharp criticism of this fundamental fact, a new reform is now causing widespread horror.
Boise – Reports of executions from the United States continue to cause dismay. Most executions of death sentences in the United States use poison to take the life of those sentenced to death. In Idaho, there should now be adjustments in this regard, civil rights organizations are shocked: it is about expanding the execution methods of the state in the northwest of the USA.
Death penalty in the US: Idaho wants to allow executions by firing squad
In the future, executions of death sentences in the US state of Idaho could also lead to shootings. After the House of Representatives had already approved, a corresponding law has now also been confirmed by the Senate before it ends up on the governor’s table in the next step. Idaho’s governor, Republican Brad Little, has advocated the death penalty in the United States in the past.
In the states of Oklahoma, Utah and Mississippi, firing squads are already legal for executions. In South Carolina, a corresponding law is subject to judicial review after being challenged Time.
Idaho wants to establish an additional method of execution as a substitute option. So far, executions in the US state have been carried out by lethal injection. The new law provides that shootings will be possible in the future if the chemicals for a lethal injection are not available. Due to a lack of appropriate preparations, planned executions are sometimes postponed. By 2009, the option of firing squads had existed in Idaho, but it was never used.
Complications in the execution of the death penalty by injection arise again and again. In Oklahoma, lethal injection killings after mishaps had been suspended for some time starting in 2015.
Dismay at plans for executions by firing squad in Idaho
Human rights organizations reacted with horror to the reports about the plans in Idaho. The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho (ACLU) called the bill and its passage in the Senate “appalling.” Idaho Statesman reported. The organization opposes the imposition of the death penalty. The ACLU sees particular cruelty in firing squads.
Leo Morales, executive director of the organization, in a statement: “A firing squad is particularly cruel. As we heard during the testimony, the violence of such executions leaves lasting scars on everyone involved.” Morales continued, “Idaho has never used the firing squad as a method of execution, presumably because it is inhumane. This archaic legislation must not become law in Idaho.”
Richard Dieter, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, also spoke opposite USA today of a step backwards and a “brutal message” from Idaho. He explained that a firing squad “reverts to older methods of execution”. This would be considered cruel and unusual punishment, Dieter said. (ales)
