The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area–Background Paper 2018 imposed only for most serious crimes, that is, intentional killing, and may not be mandatory in such cases. States should also adhere to fair trial guarantees in capital cases. Clemency, pardons and commutations are critical steps towards the abolition of the death penalty. Heads of State and Government and other responsible State authorities should exercise their constitutional and/or legal authority to grant amnesty, pardon or commutation of the sentence of death in all cases. 60. States should consider developing measures to minimize the harm suffered by other persons affected by the death penalty, including family members of convicts, defence lawyers, prison staff and medical staff. In particular, under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, States must take measures to ensure that children’s rights, including the principle of the best interests of the child, are duly considered during sentencing. United Nations Commission on Human Rights Resolution 2003/67 on the question of the death penalty (2003) The Commission on Human Rights, […] Recalling its previous resolutions in which it expressed its conviction that abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and to the progressive development of human rights, […] Concerned that several countries, in imposing the death penalty, do not take into account the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, 1. Recalls the sixth quinquennial report of the Secretary-General on capital punishment and implementation of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, submitted in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/57 of 28 July 1995 (E/2000/3), and welcomes the yearly supplement of the Secretary-General on changes in law and practice concerning the death penalty worldwide contained in his report (E/CN.4/2003/106), as requested in Commission resolution 2002/77; 61