The Second Optional Protocol does not
Even
carry
(hypothetically)
wrong,
period
of twelve
the
such
necessary
implication
a right of withdrawal.
the
contrary,
Second
and
every
Optional
purpose,
préparatoires
withdrawal
In fact, to
aspect
Protocol,
and
make
from
of
the
the
that
of notice
required
its object
conclusion
a
was
minimum
months
to effect a withdrawal
Second
Optional
is
from
Protocol,
travaux
following Article 56 of the VCLT. It would
that
no
be expected that all other States party
once
to the Second Optional Protocol would
the
it clear
the
of
if
Protocol,
protest
ratified, is permissible.
such
a
course
in
the
most
vigorous terms.
International law restricts the application of the death
penalty to the “most serious crimes.”
Even if the Philippines was not a party
reintroduction of the death penalty for
to the Second
crimes
any
event
Optional Protocol, it is in
bound
by
clear
and
that
do
not
fall
within
the
definition as “the most serious” crimes.
unambiguous international laws which
severely restrict the threat or use of the
The Philippines is a party to the ICCPR,
death
which
penalty. International
treaty and
customary,
law, both
plainly preven
was
drafted
in the recognition
that, at the time of its conclusion,
the
ts the imposition of the death penalty
death
for
that its application should be severely
anything
other
serious
crimes.
proposed
Bills
that
rule
because
are
of
they
than
the
most
All
of
the
inconsistent
international
propose
penalty is not illegal per se but
limited.
with
law,
the
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