[Reader-list] human rights? why cry for a rapist?
Aarti
aarti at sarai.net
Wed Aug 18 11:34:55 IST 2004
Dear Sachin,
Just a few things to think about when speaking of the
efficacy/desirability of capital punishment. I, personally, oppose
capital punshiment on principle. However leaving principles aside even
if we were to consider capital punishment from a purely strategic angel,
it is woefully inadequate as a detterant. The current rate of conviction
for rape in this country is dismal. There are a variety of reasons for
this, at the root of which lies patriarchy in all its many forms. I have
been following with some interest the recent demands that a section of
the political elite has been voicing to make rape a crime punishable by
death. It is ironic that the most vocal of these are the BJP whose own
idealogical orientation regarding women is something we are aware of.
Why should we not, strategically, make rape punsihable by death? Because
the second this happens I can assure you the conviction rate will fall
to zero. Why? Because when the only punshiment that a court can award
once it is proved that rape did occur is death, the court will treat
every case with an inordinate amount of caution. Place this in the
context of a patriarchal soicety where what women wear, how they behave
and carry themselves have all been cited, in legal cases in the past, as
being adequate 'justification' for what was done to them. Rape will go
unpunished. As convictions fall capital punshiment will have exactly the
opposite effect as is intended.
Capital punishment does'nt work. I refuse to believe that there are
fewer murders in this country today because we have capital punishment.
Regards,
Aarti
Sachin Agarwal wrote:
> Why are people clamouring about the death sentence to chatterjee in
> the name of human rights? where were these people when the human
> rights of Hetal were violated? as if rape and murder of 14 year young
> girl is no violation of human rights. at least a good precedent has
> been set by court. I am sure if 10 - 15 other death penalties happen
> (awarded by courts) in the years to come, there will be a considerable
> fear in the minds of rapists and women will also come forward to
> register complaints. the registering of complaints is at a dismal low
> at present. and the nagpur incident. i fully support the action of
> women. when administration is deaf and justice is blind, civil
> society will find its own and newer means of retribution. any body
> wants to locate any government agency. see www.nic.in
> <http://www.nic.in> u will find everyone from president to peon.
> alternatively try: www.sarkaritel.com <http://www.sarkaritel.com>
> sachin agarwal
>
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. On Journalism (Shivam Vij)
> 2. Media romanticizing rapists (Sourav)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2004 13:09:45 +0530
> From: Shivam Vij
> Subject: [Reader-list] On Journalism
> To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
> Message-ID:
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> THE THEORY
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> - Diversified, efficient societies need credible media.
> - Inadequate reporting fails to effectively monitor and control
> government (and various lobbies)
> - Legislation on complex matters is likelyto turn out inadequate
> unless media present sufficient background information and
> provide an enlightening public debate. (Reinold E Thiel)
> - High prices and poor business decisions are inevitable
> consequences of inept market reporting (Jenny Luesby)
> - If civic organisations are not perceived to be relevant, their
> scope of action will be further reduced.
>
> [Source D+C, Development & Cooperation, July 2004]
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> QUOTE UNQUOTE:
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Unfortunately journalists have a rather shabby reputation. They are
> often accused of being sensationalist and superficial. Time
> constraints are an important reason for this. Deadlines rarely leave
> enough time to come up with a perfect product. It has always been like
> this, but the pressure is constantly growing. Global networks mean
> global data overload. Thanks to digital technology, press agencies
> have dramatically increased their output, while political parties,
> corporations and interest groups all produce more and more information
> material....
> -- Dr Hans Dembowski, EditorinChief D+C
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 22:47:02 +0530
> From: "Sourav"
> Subject: [Reader-list] Media romanticizing rapists
> To:
> Message-ID: <20040812171716.9FB7628D9A7 at mail.sarai.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Regarding the death sentenced, I agree, blood against blood is not a
> solution, also we will be killer like him if we hang him. But I
> don't know
> where to appeal and president's emails address, please guide us
> and we will
> send the signatures and mails against hanging.
>
> Sourav.
>
> West Bengal.
>
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