A/HRC/30/21 unregulated substances in the formulas of lethal injections; public executions; the increase in the number of executions in certain countries; the expansion of the range of categories of crime punishable by the death penalty in some countries; the use of the death penalty against children, persons with disabilities and other groups at particular risk; the resumption of executions after decades of de-facto moratoriums in some States; and the failure to prevent miscarriages of justice. Some delegations also highlighted the need to discuss social and economic implications of capital punishment. 33. Some delegates were concerned that persons accused of capital crimes did not often benefit from the assistance of qualified interpreters. In addition, many had no access to a lawyer and effective representation and no meaningful legal aid frameworks were in place. In many countries, the judiciary was not independent, followed unfair and inconsistent sentencing practices and failed to consider mitigating factors. The fact that special courts were sometimes allowed to impose the death penalty, the lack of records of proceedings, and the lack of proper notice regarding the time and date of executions were also worrisome. 34. Several delegates were concerned that some retentionist States had expanded the categories of crimes for which the death penalty might, or in some cases must apply, and that some of those crimes did not meet the threshold of “most serious crimes” under international human rights law. They also pointed out that in some States, the majority of death sentences handed down and executions carried out were for drug-related offences in violation of international human rights law as such crimes did not meet the threshold of “most serious crimes”. In that context, it was remarked that the forthcoming special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem, to be held in 2016, would offer opportunities to discuss international cooperation on alternative approaches to combating the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs. 35. Furthermore, several delegates observed that capital punishment did not serve any deterrent purpose in combating terrorism, and deplored that some States expanded the use of the death penalty for crimes relating to terrorism. Expressing deep concern about atrocities committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant or by other terrorist groups in different parts of the world, they emphasized that all efforts must be made to counter terrorism and hold perpetrators accountable, but any measures to counter those threats needed to be consistent with the common values of justice and human rights. Legislation that included a vague definition of terrorism contravened human rights. They also said the death penalty clearly did not deter persons from committing terrorist acts as being executed transformed them into martyrs. 36. Several delegates were concerned about the lack of respect for the rights of persons facing the death penalty outside their country. In that regard, the panel was informed that Argentina had submitted a habeas petition in the State of Texas in the United States regarding flagrant violations of the rights of an Argentinian on death row since 1996. 37. Several delegations pointed out that a small number of countries continued to apply the death penalty at an alarming rate. For instance, it was remarked that at least 753 individuals were reportedly executed in 2014 in the Islamic Republic of Iran (A/HRC/28/70, para. 13). Delegates also expressed concerns that countries from various regions, such as Afghanistan, the Gambia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea, had recently ended long-standing moratoriums or resumed executions. Several speakers said that those developments showed the need to pursue and reinforce the determination to end the death penalty. 38. With reference to views of scholars from the Muslim world, it was stated, that, based on the Islamic principles of pardon, redemption, mercy and forgiveness, the death penalty was incompatible with Islam. The death penalty failed to meet key criteria or objectives of 10