When the United States was established in 1776, the core principle was the equality of all individuals and the guarantee of basic rights such as life, liberty, and property. However, the death penalty, still legal in about 20 states, contradicts this fundamental principle. Not only has the death penalty cost the US government millions, but it has also failed to deter criminals from breaking the law. Also, the process of executing an individual, alongside the harsh conditions of the death row inmate, is incredibly cruel and violates basic human rights, making it a form of inhumane punishment.

Although the death penalty has been successful in executing the convicted party in most cases, it is not always a perfect system. Being morally inhumane also makes it morally disturbing. Sometimes, as Austin Sarat, a professor at Amherst College, explains, "Out of the 8,776 people executed over the past 120 years, 276 executions (3.15%) had a problem in some way" (Sarat). When an unexpected problem arises during the execution, the outcome becomes agonizing for the prisoner. The chance of an execution being botched should be zero for the prisoner's sake; this unfortunate reality highlights the death penalty as a morally wrong and harsh punishment.

The repercussions of the death penalty are irreversible and not always just solely on conviction. Irrespective of the evidence presented, Carlos DeLuna was wrongfully convicted and executed. Wanda Lopez was killed in a convenience store, but the “Hispanic Male” described by witnesses was not DeLuna. He was arrested for the murder and executed via lethal injection without any physical evidence tying him to the crime. According to James Liebman from Columbia University, "There were bloodstains all over the crime scene, and the killer's footprints had noticeable bloodstains. On the other hand, when DeLuna's clothes and shoes were examined under a microscope, not a single drop of blood could be detected," (Liebman). His innocence went undiscovered, making the death penalty unjust and inhumane.

Criminals commit crimes for various reasons, including jealousy, anger, pride, or revenge. They firmly believe that they won't get caught, and the death penalty does not act as an effective deterrent. As the General Assembly of the United Nations commented, "There is no concrete proof regarding the preventative impact of the death penalty" (UNGA Resolution 65/206). Even those who are prone to committing murder do not have the death penalty sentence on their minds while planning their crimes. However, the death penalty could be used by a criminal as a way out, deliberately committing a heinous crime to guarantee a death sentence. The reasons range from self-guilt to depression or a desire not to live their life in prison. Thus, the death penalty does not serve as an appropriate punishment as it only leads to more harm than good.

In conclusion, the death penalty goes against the fundamental principles of human rights, neutrality, and justice. It has proved expensive for the government, has not deterred or integrated prisoners and has exposed innocent candidates to mistreatment. Repealing it is the right step in the direction of a human rights society.

After thoroughly examining the issue at hand, it is apparent that the capital punishment contradicts fundamental human rights. This heinous form of punishment is classified as cruel and unusual treatment. The execution process is susceptible to errors which can result in agonizing and brutal suffering of the inhumed. This is both morally unacceptable and cruel. The death penalty is irreversible, and there is an increasing likelihood that the convicted can be innocent. Despite this, it remains the apex punishment. Hence the paradoxical outcome is that offenders would still opt to commit crimes because they might not get caught. Furthermore, people living in impoverished conditions are at a higher risk of receiving capital punishment as they lack access to essential resources that could aid in disputing the justice system's accusations. These factors altogether enshrine that the death penalty constitutes an unusual and cruel source of punishment. We have numerous options at our disposal to administer justice to felons, but the death penalty should not be included among them.