HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNED BY SCHEDULED EXECUTION OF TWO JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN UNITED STATES

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNED BY SCHEDULED EXECUTION

OF TWO JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN UNITED STATES

GENEVA, 1 August (UN Information Service) -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson has expressed her deep concern at the scheduled executions in Texas of T.J. Jones and Toronto Patterson, respectively, on 8 and 28 August 2002 for crimes they committed when they were 17 years old.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the crimes for which the defendants were convicted and feeling the deepest sympathy for the victims and their families, Mrs. Robinson reiterated her particular opposition to the use of the death penalty against juvenile offenders.

"The Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly stipulates that capital punishment shall not be imposed for offences committed by persons below 18 years of age.  All States, but the United States and Somalia, have ratified the Convention.  The overwhelming international consensus that the death penalty should not apply to juvenile offenders stems from the recognition that young persons, because of their immaturity, may not fully comprehend the consequences of their actions and should, therefore, benefit from less severe sanctions than adults.  More importantly, it reflects the firm belief that young persons are more susceptible to change, and thus have a greater potential for rehabilitation than adults.  I hope the Texas Governor and Board of Pardons and Paroles will take these factors into account and grant T.J. Jones and Toronto Patterson relief from the death penalty," Mrs. Robinson said.

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