Caritas India: Death penalty for rapists is not enough
New Delhi (AsiaNews) - "Yes to life imprisonment, but no government, no human being has the right to take the life of someone else. We are all guardians of human life." Fr. Savari Raj, director of Chetanalaya, an Archdiocese of New Delhi NGO linked to Caritas, comments to AsiaNews on the passing of the new law on rape, which now also includes the death penalty. Pranab Mukherjee, President of India, gave the green light to the amendment on February 3, responding to those in civil society demanding harsher penalties after the terrible gang rape of New Delhi.
The law will be changed according to the instructions of a panel of experts formed by the government and chaired by retired judge JS Verma. According to the new amendments, the minimum sentence for gang rape, rape of a minor and rape committed by police officers or people in positions of authority will be 20 years, extendable to life imprisonment (without parole) and the death penalty. The current measure carried a maximum penalty of 10 years.
The decree must now go to parliament for final approval, but will take effect immediately. This means that five of the New Delhi six rapists (one is a minor, ed), currently on trial, could be sentenced to death.
According to Fr. Raj, a measure such as the death penalty is not the solution to stop the many forms of violence against women - the rapes, the selective abortion, female feticide - and gender discrimination. "The government - he tells AsiaNews - was in a hurry to enact this law, strongly supported by society. But to correct the behaviour you have to do it while they are alive. What could a person dead ever learn?" .
On the contrary, he adds, "life imprisonment is more appropriate, during which the opportunity is given to the offender to understand the gravity of his actions. I am convinced that with this type of punishment, everyone would learn."
Thinking about the problem in general, the director of Chetanalaya reiterates "the need for education and respect for equality between men and women", which must start in the "family" from an early age.
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