Uploaded by Amnesty International (Aggy) on 31 July 2008
Aggy's thoughts:
Who deserves the death penalty? Actor Jeremy Irons explores the inhumane nature of this punishment that targets the poor and vulnerable.
Taking action
together
for humanrights
Taking action
together
for humanrights
Uploaded by Amnesty International (Aggy) on 31 July 2008
Aggy's thoughts:
Who deserves the death penalty? Actor Jeremy Irons explores the inhumane nature of this punishment that targets the poor and vulnerable.
Comments (13)
Excellent. Well done Amnesty International and well done Mr Irons.
Wow...very motivational.
Hi Sally
Quite honest of you to admit that you have not made up your mind yet about the question. It is important to ponder all arguments and fully explore the debate of ideas surrounding the death penalty. Few people really bother to do it, regardless of their stance on the issue. This video is good, but it is essential to refer to other sources for a more in-depth analysis of the question.
It is wise not to reason as taxpayers when discussing human rights. Let us also be wary of not letting what we feel about crime dictate how we should think about the death penalty. Opponents to the death penalty have always been confronted with examples of particularly revolting crimes. The gut-feeling of the individual and the instinct of revenge are one thing, but it is a different matter for a society to decide on rational collective rules and deal with crime through its administration of justice.
Historically, the current of ideas opposing the death penalty has gathered much more solid arguments than its proponents. Opponents to the death penalty have thought the matter through, and already answered your questions about it.
For further analysis, there are essential texts about the death penalty such as political speeches and essays by Victor Hugo, in particular *his introduction* to "The last day of a condemned man". Another enlightening book on the question is "Abolition: One Man's Battle Against the Death Penalty", by Robert Badinter.
To be completely honest I can't quite decide how I feel about the death penalty.
Of course I agree that the waiting and the inhumane way it is carried out should be defined as torture and is therefore wrong but I can also see where taxpayers are coming from when they say they don't want to pay for murderers and rapists to live.
I would like to be able to say that I am against the death penalty but I know that if someone were to rape or murder someone close to me I would not be able to help myself wishing them dead so I don't feel I can.
Excellent. I do not 'want to join them'. Instead of spending money executing often innocent people, we should be trying to find out why people do what they do and try to prevent the problems that cause it. It is said that the majority of such crimes is within families, why? What makes children kill? It is horrendous that we torture people and their families by keeping people on death row often for decades. Are we any better than them for allowing it?
A very simple and yet powerful argument for the abolition of the death penalty. I would like to see that broadcast around the world on all television stations and shown the leaders of every country.
Absolutely spot on.
We need more celebrities to support Amnesty International and to create more awareness of human rights issues. Thank you, Jeremy.
They may have crossed the line, but do we really want to join them? Nicely put. Made me think about how I act is more important than how 'they' have acted. A must see.
Excellent.
Excellent video - I hope it gets a wide audience.
Sobering thoughts.
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