There are two reasons for this. First, the death penalty runs the risk of executing innocent people. Unjust execution of innocent people is totally unjustifiable because it causes irreparable loss of human life. Second, the death penalty is inhumane and unethical. Legalizing the death penalty as a punishment means condoning murder and devaluing human life. The very act of killing violates everyone's right to life and is, in fact, a cruel and barbaric punishment.