The death penalty is an issue that needs to be discussed in depth. PHOTO: FILE
The phraseology is interesting. The question we should ask is if there is any “merit” at all in the manner cases are decided and trials held. We all know that in our criminal justice system, the chances of a miscarriage of justice taking place are huge — both due to the inadequacies of police investigations and the factors involved in the trial itself. Most of those sentenced to death are poor — unable to hire savvy lawyers or take advantage of the country’s controversial Qisas and Diyat law, as the rich so often do.
The risk posed to over 8,000 people currently on death row by the latest decision has been pointed to by the London-based rights group Amnesty International, which has expressed grave concern and sought an extension of the moratorium on capital punishment. This does not seem likely to happen; the statement from the interior ministry on the matter seems unequivocal.
The death penalty issue is one we need to discuss in depth. Pakistan remains on the dwindling list of countries, which still retain the death penalty for a wide range of offences.The inhumanity of capital punishment, notably in a system where justice is inaccessible to many and “errors” very likely, is something we cannot afford to ignore.
The decision to end the moratorium needs to be re-considered and a debate generated on the criminal justice system, the main feature of which should be reform rather than retribution. At present, we are a long way away from this ideal.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2013.
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Though it is admissible that largely poor get trapped because of weak defence but this doesn't means that hanging should be abolished as it is an important of factor for the stability of a society...so heinous and serial murderers ( by serial a murderer without any doubt) must be hanged for the greater good of the society....
The reasons mentioned in support of abolishing capitol punishments are logical and appealing thus demand serious attention. In current century many countries are abolishing the death punishment. Pakistan should also do it given the weaknesses prevalent in its judicial inquiry system. However the way matter pertaining to human and civil rights move in the country more likely the suggestion will get a deaf ear response.
Even though it is unfortunate to start hangings but terrorists like Qadri would never be hanged by this rightwing govt.
Capital punishment should be abolished. Killing those who may have killed makes us killers as well. ZAB was hanged. Now we know it was a judicial murder. I am sure there are any cases like that. Because these people were as known as Bhutto, nobody cares