THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Facts, records debunk case for death penalty

Facts, records debunk case for death penalty

The death penalty as a solution to criminality is back under the spotlight in the Philippines, supported by President Rodrigo Duterte and members of parliament.

On June 21 at the 6th World Congress, Pope Francis called for a world “free of the death penalty”. We uphold his stand: capital punishment brings no justice to victims and instead fosters vengeance.
In determining the validity and benefits of death as punishment, we have to consider its deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation and protection values. Death-penalty proponents argue that it satisfies this question in all those aspects. However, the facts and records point to the contrary.
1. The death penalty has not proven to be an effective deterrent to crime. Amnesty International reports have been consistent through the years: There is no correlation between capital punishment and deterrence. 
2. It has no retributive value and does not restore justice. It may satisfy the desire for vindication, but not the desired end of a humane approach to punishment.
3. On rehabilitation, it renders impossible any attempt to transform convicts into productive members of society, which should be one of the major purposes of punishment. It totally gives up on this rehabilitative purpose.
4. The death penalty is not the only way to protect society. There are other ways, including life imprisonment.
If death penalty is once again imposed, will it be a safeguard against the conviction of the innocent? Records show that almost all of those sentenced to death were poor. Do we want a repeat of this? The problem may be more about reforming the justice system, cleaning the ranks of law enforcers, or improving our penal facilities.
Cielito Almazan, Regina Kuizon 
Philippine Association of 
Major Religious Superiors
(Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) 

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