The Death Penalty: An Ineffective Punishment

Two months ago, exactly 18^th January 2015 six convicted of drug smuggling were executed in Nusakambangan, Middle Java. But, as a result of the implementation death punishment or the death penalty by Indonesian government, Indonesia got a lot of criticisms from the international. Many argue, that death penalty is allowed to execute serious crimes. Many also argue that “the death penalty is inhuman; because it is claimed denying human rights by pushing people to death denies them the right to life” - enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Therefore, should the death penalty be allowed? I think the death penalty is not necessary. The fact says, in 2013, worldwide executions increased by almost 15% compared to 2012. It means there is no proof that the death penalty is more effective in reducing crime than imprisonment.

Let us look to some death penalty facts before analyzing further. The Death penalty used to ensure he or she will not do future crimes again, and to prevent for possibilities crimes. According to Amnesty International's 2014, the death penalties which were happened in 2013; at least 778 executions were reported in 22 countries, 96 more than in 2012, with at least 369 executions in the year, Iran with the highest number. The ways of execution scope from decapitation, hanging, lethal injection, and shooting (Example in Indonesia).  Until December 2014, recorded 98 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes; most are in Western Europe and the Americas.  The death penalty is maintained in the legal constitution of 58 countries. More than half of the world's population lives in these countries ("Death Penalty", 2013).  The death penalty many used for serious crimes like, drug smugglers, corruptors, etc. The problem is; are these 58 countries having a record succeed in reducing criminalities activity as a result of the implementation of the death penalty? I think no.

Every day, every time, all over the world, people are sentenced death penalty by the state as penalty for diversity of crimes – sometimes for deed that should not be criminalized. For example, Chiang Kuo-ching, air force Taiwan soldier accused of raping and murdering a child. He had imprisoned 15 years and in January 2011 was executed, he was proved innocent ("Chiang KUO-CHING", n.d). Unfortunately, some of these cases happen because human failure.

Some countries execute those who were under 18 years old when they did the crime. Moreover, people who were sentenced death penalty often imprisoned for very long time on “death row”. They don’t know how much time that they have left, either to breathe or to meet their family. For example, Rani Andriani alias Melissa Aprillia (38 years old) convicted of drug smuggling from Cianjur – Indonesia, executed after 14 years imprisoned. President Jokowi rejected amnesty for her and issued presidential decree Number 27 G/2014.

Another reason to oppose the death penalty is because death penalty spends much money than prison punishment or even parole. If someone convicted by the death penalty, it needs a long and complex judicial process due to ensure him or her proven guilty. For example, In California, state spends approximately $90,000 more a year for the death penalty, and for general prison punishment they just spend $57.5 million annually. An astonishing statement, according to Sacramento Bee (March 28, 1988) he predicted that California could save $90 million per year if California were decide abolishing the death penalty (REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ADMINISTRATION, 2008 ).

Then, the death penalty can extend pain for victim’s families. It means the death penalty will give a traumatizing experience for families, and possibility they can be shunned by society.

The implementation of the death penalty for drug smugglers does not provide a deterrent effect in a whole worldwide. Because, the fact says, many of people agree to be drug smugglers because they want to eager to escape poverty. They promised much money with “simple” job.  Many of them have a low education and deal with it easily.

Yes, the death penalty is not make people scared making crimes and not a solution of reducing crimes. I guess states have to begin abolishing the death penalty, including free and democratic countries. Amnesty International has declared the amnesty for all countries which still use death penalty change into prison sentences. The countries that have abolished the death penalty have significantly lower criminalities. For example, the murder number in the United States is three times higher than in France, Italy, and Sweden. These three countries do not use the death penalty for punishment (Ott, n.d).

We can conclude from the many reasons above that the death penalty has many more disadvantages than the advantages. The fact proved that the death penalty also ineffective deterrent criminalities and often detrimental both countries and certain circles. The countries which still use the death penalty has to aware as soon as possible to abolishing the death penalty. We should be more respect for human lives, human dignity, and human rights. Do not let the example abuses of the above happen again. Therefore, the Death Penalty is cruel, inhuman, and not the solution for reducing crimes or even makes people afraid to commit crimes. An alternative punishment is required to fight for justice.

Bibliography

(2008 ). REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ADMINISTRATION. California: CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON THE FAIR ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE .

"Chiang KUO-CHING". (n.d). Retrieved March 12, 2015, from Murderpedia: http://murderpedia.org/male.K/k/kuo-ching-chiang.htm

"Death Penalty". (2013). Retrieved March 10, 2015, from Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/death-penalty/

Ott, A. (n.d). The Death Penalty: Society's Injustice System. Retrieved March 11, 2015, from Delta Winds: http://www.deltacollege.edu/org/deltawinds/DWOnline04/thedeathpenalty.html