I don't support the death penalty at all, I think that it reduces us to barbarians and there is little or no evidence that it provides any deterrent. The death of Saddam was even more despicable though - as well as the lack of dignity at his actual death I don't believe for a moment that the seemingly rushed trial - widely criticized by human rights organizations - provided justice for anyone. Was Saddam guilty of evil acts? undoubtedly. What was his role in the acts that he was tried for? I doubt anyone will every really know. What was his role in a thousand other atrocities in Iraq - again it is possible no one will ever find out. Justice is to help the victims as well as to punish the perpetrator. As the Truth and Reconciliation process in South Africa has shown - societies need to be able to examine what happened in order to move on. In the years to come the victims of Saddam will not be able to look back and say that he was held to account over what he did to them and indeed it is likely that revisionist histories will emerge portraying Saddam as a victim of the US, who was killed because they wanted him out of the way and not because of what he did. This feeble trial and execution has played right up to this. Bush has fine rhetoric about spreading justice and democracy around the world - it is a pity he and his government have absolutely no idea what those things are. The fact that our government is unable to condem the actions of the Iraqi (with the notable exception of John Prescott who at least criticized part of the process ) is just shameful and shows just how much respect our fine leaders here in the UK have for the processes of justice and human rights.
Posted by Mark at January 5, 2007 02:03 PM