Comments for Jeremy Irons on the death penalty

Comment by mamous

mamous — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:13:58 +0100

mamous said:

Excellent. Well done Amnesty International and well done Mr Irons.

Comment by Queen of Chocolate land

Queen of Chocolate land — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:31:08 +0000

Queen of Chocolate land said:

Wow...very motivational.

Comment by Debout

Debout — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:57:16 +0000

Debout said:

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.

Comment by SallyC

SallyC — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 18:48:25 +0100

SallyC said:

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.

Comment by Fran Bond

Fran Bond — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:42:23 +0100

Fran Bond said:

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?

Comment by veritassemper

veritassemper — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:17:43 +0100

veritassemper said:

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.

Comment by DaveKnight

DaveKnight — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:06:32 +0100

DaveKnight said:

Absolutely spot on.

Comment by Colette79

Colette79 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:39:22 +0000

Colette79 said:

We need more celebrities to support Amnesty International and to create more awareness of human rights issues. Thank you, Jeremy.

Comment by Jeddah

Jeddah — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:58:30 +0000

Jeddah said:

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.

Comment by Romi

Romi — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:23:31 +0000

Romi said:

Excellent.

Comment by Robb

Robb — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:42:39 +0100

Robb said:

Excellent video - I hope it gets a wide audience.

Comment by notcolin

notcolin — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:48:31 +0100

notcolin said:

Sobering thoughts.

Comment by damianrafferty

damianrafferty — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:09:30 +0100

damianrafferty said:

save troy davis: http://www.protectthehuman.com/actions/stop-the...