“Hang him! Hang him in public, on a fork of a crane, and let his body stay on that hook for at least three days.” These are some of the cries you hear on the social and mainstream media regarding the suspect Imran Ali, who has been arrested in connection with the cold-blooded murder of Zainab, and seven other helpless victims. The emotions are running high, and at the height of such emotions, the people are demanding an exemplary, expeditious and ruthless justice.
Not to forget, some other suggestions are floating around, mentioned by the people on the street, promptly portrayed as sound bites by our independent and ever inquisitive media. Those suggestions are too graphic and gruesome to be penned at this spot. Somehow, people think that their ever-boiling rage will get its much-needed gratification. How so? By subjecting the suspect through that torment, upon his expected and much-anticipated conviction.
Pakistan has its penal codes, and after the proper due process, convict goes through a proper sentencing phase. A person worthy of capital punishment is executed, according to the law of the land, with dignity and respect
The unsubstantiated argument that floats around is that such rigorous punishment will act as a deterrence. Very respectfully, yours truly disagrees with this logic. Such brutal displays certainly do not eradicate crime. Had it been the case, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where criminals are beheaded, and in Iran, where they are executed publicly, would be totally crime free, at least by now.
Pakistan has its own penal codes, and after the proper due process, convict goes through a proper sentencing phase. A person worthy of capital punishment is executed, according to the law of the land, with dignity and respect. This is where the major confusion stems from. How can a serial killer, a heartless murderer be given that dignity and respect? Well, because it is the most responsible thing for a state to do.
Hard to fathom and swallow, even a convict has certain rights that a state must dispense while carrying out its justice. Public execution is more of a spectacle and a despicable show. Any civilised country will not condone such a thing. Gladly, no such provisions presently exist in the current legal system. However, some people expressed their desire to make amends if necessary, for this execution to be carried publicly.
You must have seen hours and hours of discussions carried out on the tube about extremism for many many years. People have brought in all kinds of experts to render their opinions about how to curb and eventually eradicate this menace. That seed of this menace resides within us, and we witness it very regularly. Very simply extremism is a state of mind that you acquire over years and years of conditioning.
Even in this case, the pendulum swings immediately towards the public hanging. This is an extreme idea, and it should be rebuffed because it sets a wrong precedent in an extremist society and opens doors for further degradation of human rights. Not to mention, those powerful elements of the society who make a mockery of the law, would emulate such a display in their circle of influence. Such a sight can have a devastating impact on the psyche of young children who will be petrified of all of this.
The critics think that any sign of civility towards heinous criminals is a manifestation of some Western agenda. The poor argument to say the least, but what is pathetic is by labelling it “Western” it gives the impression that somehow, some alien culture is being imposed on our pious nation.
A government has the absolute power to exercise the use of force and enact laws. The purpose of the laws is to bring normality and civility to the society. If it succumbs to such pressure of vengeance and opens the door for such antics, it would see a demand to take the act a notch down with every such incident. For people, the display becomes a sport of some sorts, and they start enjoying this cruelty.
The argument of a violator of another person’s civic rights and right to life deserves no sympathy or empathy, is again a reflection of extreme views. A government is the entity with much higher moral ground and must be just, fair and respectful to both the victim and the perpetrator.
Some folks are adamant about recreating the environment of the Arabia of 1400 years ago. This scribe has touched on this subject in a write up a few years ago and will briefly touch again. To them by wearing a certain garb and by recreating that environment, things will be picture perfect. Unfortunately, they are unable to get themselves out of that time capsule. Following of religion is not merely reflected by the attire and the environment. Time always moves forward, and the religion with its core beliefs and practices moves in the same direction.
All societies strive to improve themselves with each passing day. Every new occurrence guides them to fix holes and refine their systems. Civility is not a Western concept; it is a universal concept which is also a part of our faith as well.
The writer is a Pakistani-US mortgage banker. He can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @dasghar
Published in Daily Times, January 28th 2018.