Dependents of the death row prisoners are the real sufferers. Like there are many in the world, quoted here is one tragic story of two innocent girls who were raised to see their 'bread finder' behind the bars over a crime in which these innocents souls were not involved, nor guilty. The question is why they are punished too for a crime their father has committed!! Why such souls are forced into a life no one desires? Have the death penalty givers ever brainstormed that how far the effects of one such order will go? Does the state have no responsibility for the people associated with the one given death sentence? Hanging one man to his death 'due to whatever the reasons' destroy many of the lives associated with him and that has to be a matter of concern for everyone out there.
Here is a story of just one man and his daughters to give an idea of the issue being raised. A death row prisoner from Pakistan who was penalized to death years back had two little girls. Following the verdict of the court, his execution orders have arrived on several occasions and due to whatever the reasons called off but what's worrying is that every time such orders have arrived, those two innocent souls were supposed to have one last meeting with their very own father. Pump up your brain for a while and think about the pain and intensity of any such meeting in which the helpless daughters know that this is going to be the end of their meetings with their father. One can only imagine the pain and trauma of being in such a condition and more importantly, what impact it would have given on the mind of these girls for the rest of their lives. And this traumatic situation is not only restricted to this man and his daughters but to the many in this world.
The first World Day against the Death Penalty was organized in 2002 but following the past several years into it, nothing during this period of time has changed in the justice system of Pakistan. Orders commanding 'Hang till Death' are still being passed and implemented irrespective of the fact that how it is going to destroy and affect the lives of people associated with the one being executed. There has to be a way out, there has to be a remedy, there has to be thought of people associated with the one who is executed in the name of the law. Law offenders must be punished, there is no second stance in this regard but what should be the way? Execution? And if it is, not only the person specifically being banished but the hopes, mental peace and ways of life are also tarnished for the people associated with him.
Killing one can leave many 'half-killed'. Taking one life can take many.
