The death penalty is inhumane and violates the right to life. Opponents of the death penalty argue that it is fundamentally wrong for the state to take the life of an individual, regardless of the crimes they have committed. They point out that the death penalty is irrevocable and that there is a risk of executing innocent people, as the criminal justice system is fallible and mistakes can be made.
The death penalty is applied unfairly and disproportionately to certain groups. Research has shown that the death penalty is disproportionately applied to people of color, people with Low Socio-economic Status, and people with mental illness or intellectual disabilities. This raises concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the criminal justice system. Opponents of the death penalty argue that these inequalities demonstrate that the death penalty is not a just or effective punishment.