The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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he Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights in Pakistan has rejected a proposal advocating for the public hanging of capital offenders and rapists.
The resolution against the death penalty by public hanging, particularly for rapists, was passed during a committee meeting chaired by Senator Waleed Iqbal. The decision came after the committee members, Senator Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani and Senator Dr. Humayun Momand, expressed disagreement, emphasizing the lack of proper research on the deterrent effects of public executions.
The federal secretary for the Ministry of Human Rights highlighted the sensitivity of the matter, citing international implications and opposition from donors, including the United Nations and the European Union, who advocate for reducing the death penalty. Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, the initiator of the public hanging motion, argued that it serves as a deterrent for heinous crimes like rape, expressing concern about the rising cases of sexual assault in Pakistan.
However, Senator Waleed Iqbal noted that a previous execution in a prominent rape case resulted in a 33% increase in rape cases. The committee’s decision reflects the ongoing debate in Pakistan over the use of public hangings as a measure to address sexual violence.
