The recent tragic attack at a concert hall just outside Moscow that claimed the lives of 139 people has reignited the debate on capital punishment in Russia. The assailants, described as militant Islamists from Tajikistan, have sparked calls for the reinstatement of the death penalty in the country.
While Russia has had a moratorium on the death penalty for the past 28 years, it remains a contentious issue. Some public figures, including former president and prime minister Dmitri A. Medvedev, have called for the execution of those responsible for the attack. However, there are also prominent voices, such as Lidia Mikheeva of the Civic Chamber, who argue that abolishing the death penalty was a significant step forward for human rights in Russia.
The decision ultimately lies with President Vladimir V. Putin, who has historically opposed the death penalty. Despite calls for its reinstatement, Putin has maintained his stance against capital punishment, citing it as “senseless and counterproductive.”
The debate on the death penalty in Russia dates back to the country’s admission to the Council of Europe in 1996, where President Boris N. Yeltsin agreed to a moratorium on executions. Despite this agreement, Russia’s Parliament did not ratify the European Convention on Human Rights, keeping the death penalty as a legal option.
The path to resuming executions in Russia remains unclear. The country’s expulsion from the Council of Europe in 2022 has raised questions about the legality of reinstating the death penalty without constitutional changes. While some politicians argue that the moratorium can be lifted without a new Constitution, others believe that it would be a step backward in Russia’s human rights progress.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of the concert hall attack, the debate on capital punishment continues to divide public opinion and raise questions about the future of human rights in Russia.
