Currently, the majority of individuals advocate for the imposition of the death penalty upon those who have committed serious crimes, while others argue that capital punishment is not suitable for the contemporary world. Personally, I believe that the matter of administering the death penalty holds both advantages and disadvantages, and I intend to discuss these aspects in this essay, culminating in my final opinion.
On the one hand, the death penalty has the potential to act as a deterrent to criminal behavior, thus contributing positively to society. By enacting laws that prescribe the death penalty for certain crimes instead of imposing hefty fines, a significant portion of the population may be dissuaded from committing grievous offenses, consequently leading to a reduction in crime rates within a nation. For instance, research conducted by the US government revealed a substantial decrease in crime following the implementation of the death penalty.
On the other hand, the imposition of the death penalty may lead to the wrongful punishment of innocent individuals, which constitutes a significant drawback. It is a well-known fact that not only are criminals penalized, but sometimes individuals who are not guilty are also subjected to the death penalty due to lack of evidence and misunderstandings during legal proceedings. Therefore, a blanket application of the death penalty for all criminals is unjust. Rather, punishments should be commensurate with the nature of the crime and the specific characteristics of the individual in question, in order to prevent instilling psychological fear and frustration among innocent members of society. For example, The KTM Post recently reported that in Dubai, six non-criminal individuals were sentenced to death in December 2021, only for their innocence to be proven a few months later, highlighting the injustice that can occur under such circumstances.
In conclusion, while many contend that the death penalty is a superior alternative to imposing monetary punishments for criminal activities, it is evident that there are both advantages and disadvantages associated with this practice. While the potential deterrent effect on crime constitutes a positive aspect of the death penalty, the heightened fear among the general public serves as a notable drawback. From my perspective, the arbitrary imposition of the death penalty is inappropriate, and disregarding capital punishment entirely is likewise unjust. Rather, the nature of the crime and the individual should be taken into careful consideration when determining appropriate punitive measures.