Saturday, 11th October 2008 - 12:05CET
Malta renews opposition to death penalty
Malta has welcomed moves by a number of countries to remove the death penalty, while condemning those which still impose it.
It a message to mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty (October 10) and the European Day against the Death Penalty, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg pointed out that the world would soon mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the right to life.
"This anniversary should inspire us to do all we can to achieve the global abolition of capital punishment," Dr Borg said.
"For years now Malta, along with its EU partners, has campaigned vigorously for the abolition of the death penalty. The adoption last year by the General Assembly of the resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty was a major success.
"I strongly welcome the fact that this year Albania, Argentina, the Cook Islands and Uzbekistan have completely abolished capital punishment. However, many countries continue to hand down death sentences, in some cases carrying out highly cruel forms of execution or punishing persons by death who were minors at the time their crimes were committed, as happens in Iran for example. We must condemn such practices in the strongest possible terms."
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We are in a world when these criminals are treated as victims and although they are a threat to society they still roam in the streets.
Those who kill without any reason should be killed.
Well no,you wouldn't have seen me,not least because I believe you don't know me. I can however assure you ,that yes, I did protest and wrote to the newspapers in England when Saddam Hussein was murdered. I also protested strongly against the illegal war in Iraq here in Malta, by going to the small camp set up by the brave few just on the side of the American Embassy in Floriana(admitedly not for long) to show solidarity with them.I also went to the march against the war in London along with a million others. As for the Ceausescu's, yes I felt that it was needless. Murder and revenge always are. Capital punishment serves no purpose,it doesn't achieve anything.It merely illustrates the barbarism of the State and the people who support it.
According to Amnesty International, there is no evidence that the death penalty acts as a deterrent.
Besides, there is always the possibility of innocent people being killed, or at least spending years on death row (several such cases have been highlighted in the U.S.).
Of course, we don't do away with things just because they're not perfect. But the death penalty is not just an imperfect way of dealing with criminals, it also helps create a less humane approach in society.
"Anyone who justifies killing murderers, is on the same level as the very murderers they seek to kill. I'm sure that Hitler, Milosevic and their likes thought they were justified in killing other people"
I'm sure Hitler,Milosevic and their likes were wrong. What do YOU think? If you can't come to a decision you have a problem mate.
@Savid Buhagiar. I wonder what gives you the right to consider my opinion as close minded and not yours. Did I see you protesting loudly anywhere when Saddam was killed? Very few of those disagreeing with capital punishment spoke then! The same applies to when Nicolae and Elena Ceauşescu were executed. I bet you missed your Christmas Dinner then!
I think the death penalty should be given in cases, were the crime is so macabre that death is the only way for justice, like for example: the austrian man who imprisoned his children/grand children and raped them. In that case I agree with death penalty, but for most serious crimes I do not. (Trafficking ,homicide, etc).
So having the death penalty serves as a deterrant .. perhaps you could explain why the US, which allows the death penalty, has a higher murder rate than the rest of the EU (except the 3 Baltic states) which doesn't?
Some people justify killing criminals who they hate for the crime they have commited. Hitler hated Jews, and Milosevic hated Bosniaks....does that make them justified?
A true christian is someone who can treat with respect even the very people they despise!
It is only in self defence that one can justify killing anyone.
"Psychiatric medicines make capital punishment irrelevant and useless. One can control a criminally oriented person through these medicines"
Interesting comment - especially since yesterday was Mental Health Day
Who are we to dictate who lives and dies?
@Mr Camilleri
Are you so close minded that you think that there are good enough reasons to kill another person?. Have you learned nothing? No one, but no one, ought to be executed for whatever reason. There is absolutely nothing to be gained from such barbaric action .
According the Bible, I would agree with capital punishment.
According EU they don’t allow capital punishment and we MUST obey what the EU says.
@ A Camilleri
And what would you say about someone right now responsible for (Financial Earthquakes effecting the whole world) and since 2003 holds responsibility for killing and relocating Millions of peoples?
While at it, what would you ay about a ‘whole government’ it’s policy is based on killing innocents women ,old peoples and kids and stealing other peoples land for decade?
I am a firm believer in the death penalty.
Anyone who is against it should not have any comments or condolences to the victims of these monsters.