A/RES/73/175 Moratorium on the use of the death penalty of human rights, and considering that there is no conclusive evidence of the deterrent value of the death penalty, Noting ongoing local and national debates and regional initiatives on the death penalty, as well as the readiness of an increasing number of Member States to make available to the public information on the use of the death penalty, and also, in this regard, the decision by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 2 6/2 of 26 June 2014 6 to convene biennial high-level panel discussions in order to further exchange views on the question of the death penalty, Recognizing the role of national human rights institutions in contributing to ongoing local and national debates and regional initiatives on the death penalty, Welcoming the considerable movement towards the abolition of the death penalty globally and the fact that many States are applying a moratorium, including long-standing moratoriums, either in law or in practice, on the use of the death penalty, Emphasizing the need to ensure that persons facing the death penalty have access to justice without discrimination, including access to legal counsel, and that they are treated with humanity and with respect for their inherent dignity and in compliance with their rights under international human rights law, Noting with deep concern that, as shown in recent reports of the SecretaryGeneral, frequently, poor and economically vulnerable persons, foreign nationals, persons exercising their human rights and persons belonging to religious or ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented among those sentenced to the death penalty, 7 Noting the technical cooperation among Member States, as well as the role of relevant United Nations entities and human rights mechanisms, in supporting State efforts to establish moratoriums on the death penalty, Bearing in mind the work of special procedure mandate holders who have addressed human rights issues related to the death penalty within the framework of their respective mandates, 1. Reaffirms the sovereign right of all countries to develop their own legal systems, including determining appropriate legal penalties, in accordance with their international law obligations; 2. penalty; Expresses its deep concern about the continued application of the death 3. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 71/187 and the recommendations contained therein; 8 4. Also welcomes the steps taken by some States to reduce the number of offences for which the death penalty may be imposed, as well as steps t aken to limit its application; 5. Further welcomes initiatives and political leadership encouraging national discussions and debates on the possibility of moving away from capital punishment through domestic decision-making; 6. Welcomes the decisions made by an increasing number of States from all regions, at all levels of government, to apply a moratorium on executions, followed in many cases by the abolition of the death penalty; __________________ 6 7 8 2/3 Ibid., Sixty-ninth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/69/53), chap. V, sect. A. See, inter alia, A/70/304 and A/73/260. A/73/260. 18-22271