Capital punishment in Chile is legally sanctioned, albeit with significant limitations. Since its abolition for civilian offenses in 2001, its application has been restricted to military personnel convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during wartime.[1][2] This places Chile among the seven countries globally that have abolished capital punishment solely for ordinary crimes.

The method of execution in Chile is by shooting, with the last instance occurring on January 29, 1985, when two serial killers, Jorge Sagredo and Carlos Topp, were executed by firing squad. Historical records indicate that between 1890 and 1967, 53 individuals were sentenced to death and subsequently executed, while many others had their sentences commuted.[3]

Chile has actively supported the United Nations Moratorium on the death penalty since 2007 and consistently voted in its favor. Additionally, Chile is a signatory to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which aims for the global abolition of capital punishment.[4] However, Chile has invoked a reservation under Article 2.1 of the treaty, permitting execution during wartime for the conviction of the most serious military-related crimes committed during such periods.[5] The country signed the treaty on November 15, 2001, and ratified it on September 26, 2008.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Abolitionist and retentionist countries (as of July 2018)". Amnesty International. 23 October 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "Chile". World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  3. ^ "Historia de la Ley Nº 17.266 MODIFICA EL CODIGO PENAL Y EL CODIGO DE JUSTICIA MILITAR EN LO REFERENTE A LA PENA DE MUERTE Y MODIFICA EL ARTICULO TRANSITORIO DE LA LEY 17.155". bcn.cl (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  4. ^ "12. Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty". United Nations Treaty Collection. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, G.A. res. 44/128, annex, 44 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 49) at 207, U.N. Doc. A/44/49 (1989), entered into force July 11, 1991". University of Minnesota Human Rights Library. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "12. Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty". United Nations Treaty Collection. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
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