What is the mandatory death penalty?
- In some countries (like Malaysia until now), the death sentence is imposed as the mandatory or only punishment for certain crimes. In Malaysia, terrorist acts, murder, and rape resulting in death carry the mandatory death penalty.
- A judge does not have the discretion to give a lesser punishment, or to consider aspects such as the circumstances in which the crime was committed or of the defendant before handing out the sentence.
Which countries have the mandatory death penalty?
- Barring a few exceptions and certain specific offences, most countries allow capital punishment to be reduced to a life sentence or alternative sentences.
- Some Islamic nations have the punishment for blasphemy, the offence of contempt against God or other sacred objects or people in a faith.
- India is among the countries that persist with the death penalty as the maximum punishment, but it is not mandatory for any crime.
