Death sentence violates human rights

Tinashe Nyamushanya
The rise in reported cases of abuse against children has brought out a vicious side in advocates for children’s right. There have been calls for capital sentence to be enacted on the perpetrators.
But I personally think that we need to look at this matter from a logical, biblical and human angle.

Imagine the horror, terror and fear a person while anticipating death by hanging or whatever other method of capital punishment.

Who are we to judge and sentence someone to death? The bible clearly states that we should not judge for only God will judge us.

Even though some of the crimes are really heinous, are the sentences just?

If only murderers were executed we would say it is the biblical “eye for an eye” for they too would have taken away human lives. But by killing them we are being exactly like them.

To make matters worse in some countries one can be sentenced to death for attempting overthrow the Government, rape and possession of drugs.

But as everyone is entitled to the right to life, the death sentence must be abolished. Criminals must rot in jail rather taking their life away.

Having to spend a life in jail is severe punishment itself.

Though death is inevitable, putting a person through months or years of nothing but the anticipation of dying is barbaric.

The death sentence is cruel, satanic and most uncivilised form of punishment although a person has to be punished for wrong doing.

Killing itself is crime even when carried out under the guise of legal punishment.

If the death sentence was effective in making people afraid of committing crimes, the world would be a perfect place.

If as a world we are serious about recognising the right to life, then that means that even murderers should be allowed to live out their natural lives.

Of course, the families and other loved ones of the victims of these people may not feel the same. After all, would you forgive the killer so easily if it was your father or sister who has been murdered?

But look at it this way; would the killing of the murderer by capital punishment undo the wrongs? Besides satisfying unchristian thoughts of revenge, nothing else would happen.

Let us put criminals in jail and not kill. Let them be judged by a higher authority.