1. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT UN Declarations

2. What is the UN? The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and the achieving of world peace.

4. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue.

5. There are currently 192 member states, including nearly every sovereign state in the world. From its offices around the world, the UN and its specialized agencies decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings held throughout the year.

6. What is a UN Declaration? The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (10 December 1948 at the Palais de Chaillot, Paris). The Guinness Book of Records describes the UDHR as the "Most Translated Document" in the world.

7. Why did it come about? The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are entitled. It consists of 30 articles which have been elaborated in subsequent international treaties, regional human rights instruments, national constitutions and laws.

8. Which are the relevant UN Declarations when thinking about Capital Punishment? There are 30 Declarations in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For the purpose of our course we will need to look at 3 in particular: Articles 1, 3 and 5.

9. Article 1 All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

10. Article 3 Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

11. Article 5 No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

12. Think about it. To what extent can the UNs UDHR help us if we are thinking about Capital Punishment?

13. Capital Punishment Knowledge and Understanding historic and contemporary use of Capital Punishment in UK and world-wide (including overview of historic and current case studies), methods of execution, UN declarations. Analysis Religious and secular viewpoints on the issues. Evaluation Comment on the strengths and weaknesses of viewpoints on capital punishment; religious and moral implications for the individual and society.