I
don’t understand why the EU feels it is necessary to hold an anti-death penalty day, earmarked for 10 October. The fact that the death penalty doesn’t exist in Europe means it is pretty pointless. And which other country which imposes it is going to take notice of protests we make about it? They surely know our views already.
Poland is the only one of 27 member states digging in its heels and refusing to join in on the grounds that the EU “should approach the subject in a broader way and debate the protection of life”. They believe that the debate should include abortion and euthanasia.
These are the crucial issues the EU is brushing under the carpet, these are the issues more likely to affect people’s daily lives rather than the death penalty. Poland, along with Ireland and Malta, are the only members where abortion is illegal. People there surely want to talk about it.
And Poland’s Roman Catholic clergy and politicians have described the practice of euthanasia in countries such as the Netherlands as a “culture of death”.
In fact, the ultra-conservative League of Polish Families, wants to bring back the death penalty for paedophiles. It is easy to understand the broader implications this debate holds for Poland.
There are plans for a big conference in Lisbon about the death penalty and no doubt our British Justice Minister Jack Straw will be there. He was adamant that to hold a day against the death penalty was right and praised the Portuguese, who hold the presidency, for forcing the issue. Talk about sucking up.
This quote by Straw, and highlighted by the BBC’s Mark Mardell, shows clearly why Straw is clueless:
“I think the death penalty is something people have intense debates about, but abortion and euthanasia are seen as a private matter. I will make this comment about United States politics: I do not wish the United Kingdom to end up in a position where issues of conscience become a big party and partisan issue.”
I read a book recently on why women voted the way they did during the last American presidential election – and abortion was at the top of the list. Women want to talk about it.
Do you think Poland is right?
And I am against the death penalty, btw, I don’t think any civilised society can implement it, it is too inhumane.
As you know, in the States we do have a death penalty. Very rarely implemented (except — maybe — in Texas) whatever you may read in the popular press. The (apparently confessed) murderer of a popular Chicago doctor is now in custody in a French jail in the Caribbean because he holds dual citizenship (the French citizenship possibly acquired after the murder) and France will not extradite their nationals to countries where they may face the ultimate sanction.
But you may not remember that the death penalty was outlawed here for many years… and we faced the tawdry spectacle of increasingly elderly family members making long trips to speak against parole for the murderers of their loved ones. Never any closure.
I’d be happy to accept the end of the death penalty if families could be spared that — if life in prison meant life, not just a few years before an endless dance of parole hearings.
And as for Mr. Straw’s comment, isn’t it fascinating that matters on which there are passionate and eloquent opponents are to be kept “private” but on matters where large numbers are in apparent accord “intense debates” are welcome? (These would presumably go something like this: “I agree.” “No, I agree more.”)
The anti-death-penalty day has a lot of support here. I can see why people feel it’s important to make their feelings on it felt. At least it’s a signal to countries who do have it, especially the USA, that we think they are way behind the times on this. I do not think that Poland is right: from what I read it is in danger of becoming a nasty, fundamentalist Catholic nation. And I can’t see anything wrong with what Straw has said. Sorry, Ellee!
Curmudgeon, you raise a good point about “life meaning life”, it very rarely is. How else can justice be seen to be done so that the death penalty is avoided in murder cases?
Welshcakes, Poland is keen to retain its identity and beliefs. How can every country of the EU be expected to reach consensual agreement on highly emotive issues like this? I believe Poland is right to speak up for the values it believes are important. France always does, and we also need to learn to do this in the UK.
Leaving the rights and wrongs of the death penalty aside – around 60% of our voting population want it restored, I expect it is the same for the rest of the EU membership.
This orchestrated march is about the EU polity asserting itself and showing us what the agenda will be and who’s boss.