Students read an editorial in 'The Independent' newspaper from Britain after the execution of Timothy Mc Veigh. The editorial criticised the continued use of the death penalty in certain countries.
What did 3rd students have to say in their letters of reply?
I disagree with capital punishment. So I agree with this opinion.
A lot of death penalties have been carried out. Some people may have been killed on a false charge. And if criminals die, they can't atone for their sin. I want all criminals to reflect on their sin. They should have made up for their sin before they die.
I guess some people wanted to die, so they murdered other people. There are some cases that the death penalty is much easier than the other punishment.
Timothy McVeigh was one of the persons who wanted to die. He is said to have commited a crime with his companions. I think so, too. No one can find that out because he died. He is dead now, but his accomplices are alive.
That is not justice.
Akane Irie
I am inclined to agree with this opinion. Because I can't agree that capital punishment can be justified. I think that however atrocious the criminal, we don't have right to kill another person. Actually many advanced nations have abolished the capital punishment or death penalty except for Japan and the US.
Are the victim's family satisfied giving the capital punishment to the murderer? I don't think so. I think that life in prison, forcing killers to spend their lives doing hard labor, is a more meaningful punishment that avenges the victim's family and society. If we gave the death penalty to the criminal, would we be the murderer?
Kouhei Tsumoto