44/128 of 15 December 1989, had adopted the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. The parties to that Protocol would undertake not to carry out any more executions and to introduce all necessary measures to abolish the death penalty within their jurisdiction. The only admissible reservation was the application of the death penalty in times of war. The Protocol would enter into force after being ratified by at least 10 Member States. It had been opened for signature in February 1990 at the United Nations Secretariat in New York by any State that had signed the Covenant. 52. With the adoption of the Second Optional Protocol, which went back to a proposal made to the General Assembly in 1980, the first world-wide instrument against capital punishment had come into existence. The hope was expressed that the majority of States would soon adhere to the Protocol so that capital punishment, which violated human dignity, would disappear in most parts of the world. 53. It was observed that the important draft standards and model treaties to be considered under item 7 (topic V) were at an advanced stage of elaboration and needed only minor revisions or amendments, with the possible exception of the draft guidelines on the role of prosecutors, where a more thorough review was required with a view to their submission to the Eighth Congress. 54. The far-reaching significance of standard-setting and implementation in the area of administration of justice and human rights was emphasized, in particular, with reference to the draft basic principles on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials and the draft basic principles on the role of lawyers. Regarding the latter, the view was expressed that lawyers should not be agents of 
**Analysis**
The text discusses international law and human rights, specifically the abolition of the death penalty and the adoption of a protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also mentions the development of draft standards and model treaties related to the administration of justice and human rights. These topics are related to the protection of human dignity and the promotion of human rights, which are fundamental aspects of human society.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Education