The
Death Penalty
Patrick Nulty
Riversdale CC
Although there are many crimes
that shock and disturb the vast majority of society, it is important for
those in authority to maintain a sense of objectivity and perspective.
Proponents of the death penalty
argue that it is the only just punishment for serious crime. This idea
comes from the biblical notion of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth".
However, society must move on from these primitive notions of justice
and the law must value all life, even the life of a murderer. Most societies
have laws that prohibit one citizen killing except in self-defense Ð
the death penalty in such a society, in effect, breaks its own laws.
The death penalty is often
seen as a deterrent to people who would commit violent crime or murder
but this assertion is incorrect. The United States has one of the highest
murder rates among developed countries and yet also has the death penalty.
People who murder do so as a result of their psychological frame of mind
and their social and personal circumstances. No child is born 'evil' instead
their actions are determined by their experience of the world. To reduce
murder and violent crime from society one must tackle problems personal
isolation and social exclusion. The death penalty will not prevent murder
- it will only help to create a situation where life is not valued.
The possibility of a miscarriage
of justice is another reason why the death penalty is wrong. It is possible
for those with wealth and power to obtain better legal advice and avoid
conviction than those who rely on free legal aid. If the death penalty
had been in force in England during the nineteen-seventies the Birmingham
six and Guilford four would almost certainly now be dead. Mistakes occur
but with the death penalty, these mistakes would become more tragic.
The death penalty can also
be used in a subjective manner by unscrupulous governments seeking to
crush dissent. In Chile the right-wing government lead by General Pinochet
murdered and tortured countless opposition activists. The Soviet Union
also used the death penalty to eliminate alleged 'traitors' throughout
the years. To give the State the power to take life in a subjective manner
is to undermine the freedom of everyone in society, not just those convicted
of murder.
The death penalty is wrong
because it legitimises the very crime it is intended to prevent, the crime
of murder. Where the death penalty exists the notion that life can be
taken in a cold-blooded, calculated way also exists. For justice to be
administered fairly everyone must be treated with compassion and respect
even if they have not shown these sentiments to others.
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