UN rights chief deplores US nitrogen gas execution, calls it cruelty

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has said the use of pure nitrogen in the death penalty in the US state of Alabama is cruel, according to Report.

“It's cruel. That's clear. There’s no other word for it,” Mr Turk said in an interview with Vatican News after his meeting with Pope Francis.

“Frankly, the death penalty should not have any place in the 21st century," he added.

Mr. Turk was referring not only to the US but all other countries that are yet to abolish this so-called form of punishment.

"The state should not exercise that power in that way. It's not what is appropriate in this century."