Would A War Criminal Be Sentenced To Death Today?

[barney15c]

This is a controversial question, but I am not out to court it, but wondered what other peoples opinions would be.
Would a person(s) who caused the death of countless people (mass genocide) who was brought to trial ever face the death feeling is h sentence.
For instance if Hitler had ever been captured before he committed suicide in his bunker, would have been sentenced to death? If the leader of North Korea was ever (somehow) ever to face trial for s suspected genocide acts, would he face the death penalty...or those involved in the Yugoslav conflict who are still on trial ever face the death penalty.
The death penalty still exists in some countries in the western world but because they are considered so high profile and are politically sensitive to some quarters would they ever meet that fate.
My feeling is they would fully deserve to die for their atrocious crimes but would it be politically expedient to do so to some countries. Yes there are precidents ie Ghadaffi and Saddam Hussien, but they didn't face a western court.
Your opinions please.

[emmie]

perhaps it would depend on where he was tried, in the US they would likely sit on death row for years, which the lawyers wrangle over the matter

[rockyracoon]

War crimes are tried in The Hague aren't they? I don't think they have the death penalty in The Netherlands. I'm a fence sitter when it comes to capital punishment and it's probably the only area where I'd be a hypocrite.

Out of interest what western countries still entertain the death penalty (except USA)

[barney15c]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_capital_punishment_by_country#Europe

[emmie]

some info for you
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Court

[barney15c]

...so try them in Belarus or USA!

[rockyracoon]

Lol, was just going to say, is it just Belarus and the US. I did read it right :)

[mikey4444]

I have never supported the death penalty. I am not religious in any way but I can't see that any human being has the right to remove the life from another human being, no matter if he does have a judges robes on.

But for these mass killers, life should mean life. Ghadaffi and Saddam were effectively killed by a mob.