The use of capital punishment, frequently known as the death penalty, is highly controversial. There are many organizations worldwide, such as Amnesty International, and country-specific, such as the ACLU, that have abolition of the death penalty as a fundamental purpose. In the classic doctrine of natural rights as expounded by for instance Locke and Blackstone, on the other hand, it is an important idea that the right to life can be forfeited.
Famous quotes containing the words capital punishment, capital, punishment and/or debate:
“I should not regret a fair and full trial of the entire abolition of capital punishment.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)
“I should not regret a fair and full trial of the entire abolition of capital punishment.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)
“Death is less bitter punishment than death’s delay.”
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
“My first debate in high school—”Resolved: Girls are no good”—and I won!”
—Donald Freed, U.S. screenwriter, and Arnold M. Stone. Robert Altman. Richard Nixon (Philip Baker Hall)