Abolition of the death penalty is redemption for the poor 
The Universe
(April 30, 2006)
It was a happy surprise when Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced on Holy Saturday that the Philippines would no longer execute convicted criminals. The death penalty, abolished by the constitution, was strangely restored by an act of congress in 1993 despite much opposition by the Church and human rights groups.
The chance to confess, repent and make restitution, no matter how heinous the crime, ought to be available for all who are justly convicted.
This is what Jesus of Nazareth taught and practised. Hanging on the cross himself, a victim of an unjust conviction and the death penalty, he forgave those who caused his suffering and death. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. He forgave the repentant thief: “This day you will be with me in paradise”. The other, who mocked him and was unrepentant was not reprimanded or condemned by Jesus.
Some victims of crime and their families are not satisfied that perpetrators receive a just punishment – they can demand revenge. They want an eye for eye, a death for a death.
It may seem justified but this is not the way Jesus would have us behave. Mercy, compassion, repentance and redemption is what we must strive for. The innocent Jesus, executed in extreme agony, did not seek revenge but redemption of the world and the conversion of sinners. We must seek no less.
Of the 1,205 inmates on the Philippines’ death row, many have been wrongfully convicted, according to human rights groups representing some of them. Only 230 of these convictions have been affirmed by the Supreme Court. One study citing a decision of the Supreme Court in July 2003 showed that the lower regional courts had close to a 72 per cent false conviction rate.
Most death sentences are unsafe and those convicted are the poor who are unable to hire a lawyer. The public defender, no matter how dedicated, is inexperienced, has no resources or help to investigate the circumstances and uncover evidence that would exonerate his client and expose lies.
Convictions are handed down despite the preponderance of reasonable doubt. The rich, have the best of lawyers and the power and influence and bribe officials, police and scare off witnesses. They almost never get convicted.
The lifting of the death penalty gives children the opportunity to testify against their rapists and abusers whether they are relatives parents or neighbours. The fear of being blamed by their family for the execution of a rapist father, is too much for small children, no matter how much they are protected and empowered by therapists and social workers.
Now we need the Philippine congress to pass a law and make the president’s word a reality - not just a promise. [End]
Fr. Shay Cullen is a Columban missionary: PREDA Centre, Kalaklan, Olongapo City. www.preda.org
