Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Sentencing Law and Policy

Criminal Law

: Sentencing Law and Policy

Are any and all LWOP sentences inconsistent with international human rights law?

By Douglas A. Berman

Over at The Volokh Conspiracy, Eugene Volokh in this post notes this New Zealand Herald article and wonders and worries about the prospect of international human rights law being used to bar sentencing murderers to life without the possibility parole.  Here are snippets from the kiwi sentencing piece prompting Eugenes concerns: Foreign Affairs officials are warning the Government that its hardline sentencing and non-parole policy risk damaging New Zealand's international reputation.  They say National's "no parole for the worst murderers" policy and the proposed "three strikes and you're out" law could breach international obligations on torture and civil rights.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says such breaches would affect New Zealand's ability to influence other countries...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on March 19, 2009 (boomark / email).