Capital Punishment... Is it Back?

Posted on May 13, 2011

The House of Representatives met in Belmopan to conclude :With the country’s murder toll at forty nine within five months of the year, a series of controversial measures and constitutional amendments were introduced that are sure to bring debate not only from across the floor, but from local and foreign entities.  The amendment to the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Bill intends to zone in on gang related activities and increase penalties for related crimes. But it’s the amendments to the Belize Constitution that may bring both praise and fury from the public, human rights organizations and the church.  Prime Minister Dean Barrow intends to bring back the death penalty with the Belize Constitution (Eight Amendment) Bill 2011.  Clause four of the amendment refers to inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment. The proposed constitutional change will allow for the death sentence to be executed.

P.M. Dean Barrow says that if the vote is majority they are going to put back the sentence to hang to death without any defendant being able to challenge the death penalty. He also stated that it would bring problems with the public and internationally. He continues stating that its European democracies insist on that its inhuman or degrading but that he believes that they don't live in a small society like us, Belizeans and that they aren't the ones living through all the bad experiences.

Barrow says that the amendment will also free the courts of cases that are delayed on death penalty appeals.

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This might be seen as insensitive, but I say its about time.  Many people might see me as an insensitive person for wishing that the death penalty come back into play with our laws.  I ask myself have they spoken with the family of victims.  Do they know the pain?  The only one fearing the law or the death penalty are those who are afraid to or planning to break it. As an individual I wouldn't break the law and therefore not need to be hanged.  I am not sure if others can say the same.  This article was short and sweet to my ears.  I hope I can see the day when I can trust to walk on the streets without fear. When I know that the murder victim toll will go down and that me ,my family and loved ones would be safe.  Its obvious that the laws aren't working probably because its not implemented or because it is to lenient for the crimes committed. 

This is the most controversial news I have heard in my life time.  I want to be more ethical and say they are human, they deserve better, but my gut is saying are they really humans?  They would have to be humans for this to be an inhuman action. For me if they can kill coldly and without remorse and continue with the murders there is nothing human about that person.  I care about the safety of all those Belizeans that fear for their lives.  Who want to live a peaceful life not fretting to be the next rape ,murder ,theft or stabbed victim.  Something must be done. I say that this amendment should be voted on and implemented into our legal system.

They are rumors that the jail that is paid with tax payers money is too good for them. That they look at it like a vacation, free from bills .  Why are we spending so much of our tax payers money on something like that.  What do they deserve?  The Jail system worked before when it was hard and not exactly cruel but strict.  That was its purpose. To serve as an option and punishment not a vacation or rehab.  Back where the days when criminals deserved what they got and tried their best not to end up in a place like that.