Spectacle of the scaffold

Specter of flawed verdicts and misuse of capital punishment raise ethical questions over publicly hanging rapists

The echoes of a heated debate resound as Pakistan contemplates the inclusion of public hangings as punishment for rapists. The amendments to the PPC and the CrPC, approved by a Senate committee, reflect a society grappling with the aftermath of heinous crimes, particularly the harrowing gang-rape incident on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway in September 2020, and the country remains torn between the demand for justice and the ethical considerations that surround such a severe form of punishment.

Moral quandaries loom large in this debate. The specter of flawed verdicts and the historical misuse of capital punishment, particularly during General Ziaul Haq’s regime, raises profound ethical questions. Societally, the call for public hangings emerges as a visceral response to the escalating brutality witnessed, particularly against marginalised communities. However, cautionary voices, led by Senator Sherry Rehman, draws attention to the potential unintended consequences. Will public executions become spectacles that perpetuate violence rather than acting as a deterrent? The societal impact of this demands a nuanced and thoughtful approach. Legally, the amendments mentioned above reflect a nation grappling with the urgent need for a more robust stance against rape. Yet, the efficacy of such measures is uncertain. A justice system should prioritise rehabilitation and address the root causes of criminal behaviour. Punitive measures alone, especially those as severe as public hangings, may not contribute significantly to a safer society. Public hangings, while seemingly a swift response to the aftermath of gruesome crimes, are inherently reactionary and fail to address the root causes of such incidents.

To truly tackle the issue, an in-depth study into the underlying factors contributing to the rise in heinous crimes is crucial. Nipping the problem in the bud involves going beyond punitive measures and proactively shaping a society where the conditions for such crimes are minimised. This approach aligns with a more progressive and forward-thinking vision for societal change.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2023.

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