What else?

By now all of you must have already heard of the execution of Saddam Hussein in the news. Although I know this topic is a matter of controversy, here I would like to briefly express my viewpoints. I should say that I don’t mean to attack anyone here and will be more than happy to receive any comments against my arguments.

First of all, emotionally speaking, so many Iraqi and Iranians may be content with Saddam’s death, as he is responsible for mass murdering of citizens of both countries. Second, it’s absolutely understandable that so many people especially those from some areas of the world (like my own country) believe that “death penalty” is acceptable and sometimes even necessary.

The problem arises when we call ourselves an abolitionist and claim to be against capital punishment except for Saddam Hussein! Why? because he was not a human being but a monster, so the human rights don’t apply to him! or because they should make an example of him or …. I imagine everyone who favors death penalty argues in the same way but in a more general way, so what is the difference then? At least they don’t call themselves abolitionist! Now I want to ask them what about the one that has killed our loved one? If our emotion tells us that Saddam is not a human being therefore he doesn’t deserve to live, what our judgment would be about a serial killer who had killed our family members?

I think the main issue here is not who should and who should not be killed, and who ought to be the judge; these are out of the question for those who allegedly don’t believe in death penalty. The question is when we want to break this cycle of violence. All of us have experienced such feelings as jealousy, anger, and vengeance, but any decision based on these feelings are not justifiable.

Related links:

CNN Video

CNN quick vote (Will Saddam Hussein’s hanging help bring stability to Iraq?)

Assasination attepmt on Saddam (Youtube)

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