Dear Editor,
I read with interest an article in the Stabroek News (November 24) that a team from the European Union in Guyana is lobbying the Guyana government to bring to an end to the death penalty.
I wish to support such a measure. I believe that resort to the death penalty is not an enlightened and, I may add, a civilised response to those found guilty of a criminal offence, regardless of the nature of the crime involved.
People should be made to suffer the consequences of criminal actions in ways commensurate with the nature and severity of the crime, but such punishment should be tempered by some element of mercy and an acknowledgement of the fact that people can be rehabilitated and be placed at the service of society if provided with a second chance.
I am aware of the fact that this is quite a controversial subject with sound and valid arguments both for and against, but taking everything into consideration, it is my considered view that the time has come for capital punishment to be brought to an end as is the case in several other countries of the civilised world.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
