Malta renews opposition to death penalty

Jaycee Van Rooyen

Oct 13th 2008, 14:17

Like any issue carrying huge controversy, the answer to whether there should be a death penalty, is yes and no. Certain crimes like child rape and vicious crimes against defenseless elderly definitely deserve the death penalty. South Africa has done away with the death penalty and although there are many factors involved in the crime rate that is spiraling out of control in this country, one of the main contributory ones is believed to be the abolition of the death penalty. And most of the perpetrators of crime get away with it because of a dysfunctional prosecuting system in SA.

Mark Galea

Oct 13th 2008, 14:11

I strongly oppose the death penalty. Man has no right whatsoever over life. Only God has the right to give, and end life. However, I DO believe in giving these criminals a hard labour life sentence, where they have to work, whether they like it or not, to support the families of their victims. Should they refuse to do so, they can literally starve to death, because they would have to earn their keep.

deb bugeja

Oct 13th 2008, 13:27

I think it is about time that death penalty should be introduced again and used on people who commit such horrific crimes.

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.

malcolm seychell

Oct 13th 2008, 13:04

No wonder criminals all over europe are doing what they like.

Those who kill without any reason should be killed.

Malcolm Schembri

Oct 13th 2008, 08:48

Doesn't Malta still have the death penalty? I think it does in certain specific cases.

Joe Zahra

Oct 13th 2008, 07:43

Taking a life under any circumstance is barbaric!

David Buhagiar

Oct 13th 2008, 06:08

@Mr.Camilleri
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.

Alastair Farrugia

Oct 12th 2008, 21:50

I agree with the minister's comments on this one.
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.

Chris Abela

Oct 12th 2008, 18:49

@ Andrew Cassar
"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.

A Camilleri

Oct 11th 2008, 22:16

@A Muscat: I'm not going to enter into a debate on who deserves the capital punishment. The point is that in certain cases it is merited and that therefore it shouldn't be abolished.

@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!

Graham Crocker

Oct 11th 2008, 19:22

One shouldn't suggest the death penalty for things like Drug trafficking or Human Trafficking, after all in essence its just traffic (Jail time is sufficiant punishment) and believe me in anyone who imports drugs into Malaysia risks Torture. Yet people still take the risk.

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).

Robert Scullion

Oct 11th 2008, 19:11

@Andrew Camilleri
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?

Andrew Cassar

Oct 11th 2008, 18:43

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.

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.

AnnMarie Pawley

Oct 11th 2008, 18:22

Is it my impression, or has there really been an increase in the crime rates of countries which have abolished the death penalty?

T Vella

Oct 11th 2008, 18:11

Mr e bartolo
"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

M Muscat

Oct 11th 2008, 18:08

Drug barons deserve the death penalty. So do mass murderers like Milosevich and Bin Laden.These people have maliciously plotted the death of thousands and thousands.

e.bartolo

Oct 11th 2008, 17:42

Psychiatric medicines make capital punishment irrelevant and useless. One can control a criminally oriented person through these medicines. That means, there is no need to execute a criminal to protect society.

Vincent Galea

Oct 11th 2008, 17:39

There are other forms of punishment worse than the death penalty in Malta.

K. Pullicino

Oct 11th 2008, 17:38

I'm against the death penalty of any sort because, even in cases where someone kills someone else, we don't magically become "above" life.

Who are we to dictate who lives and dies?

Savid Buhagiar

Oct 11th 2008, 17:14

While not condoning Iran or any who practice this vile punishment, it would have added more substance to Dr Borg's statement had he mentioned America , the prime culprit,in the same breath.

@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 .

A. Muscat

Oct 11th 2008, 16:09

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?

Philip Paris

Oct 11th 2008, 14:47

Why should we over crowd our jails with people who commit the worst crimes against other people. WE, the tax payer have to pay for their accommodation. It also lets other criminals of lesser crimes back out on the street because there is no room for them in the jails.
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.

Andrew Camilleri

Oct 11th 2008, 14:36

There are several cases in which I think there should be a death penalty, including mass murder and rape and abuse of minors. Better safe then sorry. The death penalty serves as a deterrant as well as ridding society of sick and maniacal individuals, who could inflict harm if they escape from custody.

M.Bezzina

Oct 11th 2008, 14:08

I agree with death penalty for those who are condemned for Human trafficking, importing drugs, and killing.

A Camilleri

Oct 11th 2008, 14:06

What do people like Saddam Hussein deserve? In certain cases the death penalty is justified. Not many people objected to Saddam's killing. So why should we eliminate the possibility for such punishment. Criminality can be limitless. How do you punish people involved in killing 20, 50, 100, 1000, 5000, people as in SEP 11?

K. Pullicino

Oct 11th 2008, 14:03

I'm pretty sure the Maltese Constitution allows for the death penalty. And I don't agree with it.

Leonard Gauci

Oct 11th 2008, 13:58

Well done. A mark of civilised people.

Stephen Farrugia

Oct 11th 2008, 13:32

I am in favuor of the death penalty in the case of treason.

Brian Spleenovich

Oct 11th 2008, 13:22

And America? Or do we not want to annoy them?

G Micallef

Oct 11th 2008, 12:31

Is not abortion a death penalty? Why put to death innocent beings and not those who commit horrendous multiple crimes?