marginal contributions to any discernible social or public purposes. A punishmentwith such negligible returnsto the State is patently excessive and cruel, he added.51 38. The key humanrights issue in the re-imposition of death penalty is that essential to the dignity of humanpersonwhichis foremostthe sanctity of life, supremeoverotherrights, that must be preserved without inquiring as to the person's character or even distinguishing, and which no derogation should be permitted at any time on whatever ground. 39. Ultimately, the argument over death penalty must rest not on emotions but on reason and universal respect for human rights. A child raped and murderedis vicious and repulsive to the senses, but executing the perpetrator does not put an endto thatsocial sickness. The society we haveis a reflection of the system andlawsthat are in place and the kind of people running the system. An intensive review of the whole penal system and evaluation of the implementation of penal lawsandstatutesare effective alternatives that must be exploredto the fullest to find out the best possible way, taking into account a humanrights based approach,in attaining the outcomethat weall desire, whichis a safe, secure, peaceful and orderly society. 40. It has been observed by FIDH President Dimitris Christopoulos, that too many governments in Southeast Asia lack the vision and political will to eliminate the death penalty — a barbaric practice that has no place in today's world. It is imperative that all retentionist countries in Southeast Asia immediately declare official moratoria on all executions as an initial step towards the complete abolition of capital punishment.5? 41.The Commission on Human Rights share the yearning to stop the current scourge of drug addiction andits links to criminality. But to fight crime with violent assertion and revenge as motivation will only perpetuate a culture of violence. Instead, we should develop a credible justice system that works for all, a system thatis incorruptible, with objectivity and impartiality. We need to focus on strengthening our methods on crime investigation such as application of reliable scientific evidence, including DNA testing, efficient case documentation and sound judgment of facts. We need to upscale and honetheskills of our police and investigators to gather and handle evidence and other information in ways that will materially enhancethereliability of cases presented in courts. All this will help ensure that those who commit crimes are caught and held accountable. It has been demonstrated time and again, that a fair, professional and competentjudicial system provides better overall results. We have nothingto fear from a judicial system that follows the rule of law andrespects therightsofall - defendants, victims and witnesses. 42. Our existing criminal justice system should also be balanced with restorative justice, where we do nottreat punitive punishment as the only effective means in changing the behaviors of the offenders, but involving all stakeholders of justice — the offenders, victims and the affected communities — in seeking truth, healing andreconciliation. *'See https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/ACT50/001 /201 Hen/ (accessed, 30 September 2016), citing Amnesty International's report Death Sentences and Executions in 2010. ~* Thid, 26.