联合国秘书长潘基文2016年世界反对死刑日致辞

10 October 2016  2016年10月10日

The death penalty is a cruel and inhumane practice. It has no place in the 21st century.
 死刑残忍而且不人道。这种做法在21世纪没有存在空间。

This year’s World Day Against the Death Penalty focuses on terrorism-related offenses.  Around the world, 65 countries retain the death penalty for such crimes. To be legitimate and effective, counter-terror measures, like all security operations, must be anchored in respect for human rights and the rule of law.
 今年的世界反对死刑日重点是恐怖主义相关罪行。全世界有65个国家对这种罪行保留死刑。同所有安保行动一样，反恐措施必须以尊重人权和法治为基础，方才合法有效。

Yet death sentences for terrorism are often handed down after unfair and speedy trials by military or special courts. Confessions are often obtained under duress or in other ways in which the right to appeal is not respected. Some States even seek to criminalize the legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms by including vague definitions in counter-terrorism legislation.
但是，对恐怖主义作出死刑判决的往往是军事法庭或特别法庭，之前的一番审判并不公平而且仓促，口供往往以威逼或不尊重上诉权利的其他方式获得。一些国家甚至试图凭借反恐立法中含糊其辞的定义，将合法行使基本自由的行为定为犯罪行为。

Let us be clear: participation in peaceful protests and criticism of a government – whether in private, on the Internet or in the media – are neither crimes nor terrorist acts. The threat or use of the death penalty in such cases is an egregious violation of human rights.
让我们明确声明：参加和平抗议和批评政府——无论是私下还是在网上或媒体上——都不是犯罪，也不是恐怖主义行为。对这种案件以死刑相威胁或使用死刑是明目张胆地侵犯人权。

Some may argue that capital punishment will diminish terrorism. This is not true.  Experience has shown that putting terrorists to death serves as propaganda for their movements by creating perceived martyrs and making their macabre recruiting campaigns more effective.
一些人可能辩称，死刑会减少恐怖主义。此话不实。经验表明，将恐怖分子处死会使他们摇身一变成为烈士，并使他们阴森可怕的招募活动更有成效。

Maintaining the rule of law and respect for human rights – even in the face of terrorism and violent extremism – is an obligation that will boost society’s ability to address terrorist threats.
即使面对恐怖主义和暴力极端主义，维持法治和尊重人权也是一项应尽义务，将提高社会应对恐怖主义威胁的能力。

Let us continue our work to abolish the death penalty in all circumstances and places. Let our actions always be guided by the moral compass of human rights – the most effective route to a safer, more just and secure world.
让我们继续努力废除各种情形和各地存在的死刑。让我们在行动中始终听从人权这一道德准则的指引。那是通向更安全、更公正和更有保障的世界最有效的途径。