Capital punishment, as defined by oxford dictionary is “the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime.” We all know that capital punishment has come into discussion againin public circles. The root of this debate is the failed military coup, which happened in Turkey on the 15th of July 2016. We know what happened and how the Turkish people fought to preserve democracy. The military became powerless in front of the common man’s power. The people of Turkey proved that their democracy is by the people and for the people, that they will not tolerate any dictatorship in their democratic homeland.
After President Erdogan came back in power, the question of capital punishment arose i.e. whether or not capital punishment should be practiced for those guilty of treason.
This question arose because capital punishment was abolished in Turkey in the year 2004. To get in line with the standards proposed by the European Union, law 4771 of 9th August 2002 abolished the death penalty for peacetime offences. By 14th July 2004, according to law 5218, the death penalty was abolished in its entirety.
Turkey has not executed any prisoners since October 1984. But prior to 1984, executions would usually happen with military interventions. We can see the evidence of this on 17th September 1961 when the prime minister of Turkey Adnan Menderes was hanged along with two cabinet members. These hangings were the result of the coup of 1960.
After the failed coup the capital punishment talkies are in vogue. Turkish people are demanding capital punishment for all of those who are involved in this failed coup. According to The Independent hashtag “I want death” (#iwantdeath) trended globally. It was also the top trend on Turkish Twitter.
The people of Turkey want death penalty for offenders who tried to strangle democracy. They openly demand reinstating capital punishment without considering the standards of the European Union and the prospect of becoming a part of it.
The Turkish government, because of the people's demand, is considering bringing back the death penalty, so it can execute those involved in the attempted military coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
It can also be seen that some of the politicians are also talking about the lifting of the death penalty. The Development Party Deputy Leader Mehmet Muezzinoglu said, that the government will introduce a bill calling for the execution of rebel soldiers. This bill will demand the execution of those who have been involved in the coup attempt.
The Turkish people have proved that they are an active nation willing to take a stand against what they believe is wrong.
Capital punishment is legal in United States and 32 states and the federal government currently uses the death penalty. Its existence can be traced to the beginning of the American colonies. Similarly capital punishment is also legal in India. In December 2007 India voted against United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty. In November 2012 India again upheld its stance on capital punishment by rejecting the ban on death penalty by voting against the United Nation General Assembly draft resolution.
While capital punishment is legal in Pakistan, there was a moratorium on executions till 2008, but it was lifted on 16th December 2014 on terrorism related cases. This happened because of the massacre of 132 students and 9 staff members of the Army Public School and Degree College Peshawar. On December 2014, Pakistan executed 2 prisoners convicted of offenses unrelated to the Peshawar school massacre. Pakistan also executed 239 death row prisoners in September 2015, after the massacre.
It is the duty of every government to protect the citizens of their country. We can never overlook the penalties of crime. The penalty must be as severe as the crime. Capital punishment is necessary for a peaceful and protective society. It sets an example for future offenders who will refrain themselves from committing similar crimes.