Short essay on capital punishment
... believe in capital punishment. Yet I think that for certain crimes, long term imprisonment is simply not stern enough. It is important that we send a clear message to severe offenders: our society will not tolerate criminal behaviour. In order to curb crime, sentences must be harsh and deterring. Much as I am in favour of stern measures against serious crime, I also feel very strongly about human rights. No man is qualified to decide about life and death, and all human beings are equal. No judge or jury can ever have the right to take the life of another person, whether he is a saint or a child-abusing psychopath. Mere vengeance is not a proper punishment. Murder cannot be fought with murder. Cardinal Danneels once said that he is in favour of death sentence, as long as it is not brought into practice. I a...