Will the death penalty halt the Maldives’ crime surge?

The debate surrounding the implementation of capital punishment is quite pertinent and poignant at this time in the Maldives’ history.

The violent crimes, including gang violence, burglary, mugging, sexual abuse of children and murders are increasing to an alarming level in our society. For many, the reintroducing of state-endorsed death, otherwise known as capital punishment or the death penalty, seems to be best solution to address the surge in crime.

The last person to be executed in the Maldives after receiving a death sentence was in 1953 during the first republic of President Mohamed Ameen. Hakim Didi was charged with attempting to assassinate President Ameen using black magic.

Since then, the Maldives has retained the practice of the death penalty, although Islamic Shari’ah tenets give the courts the power to pronounce capital punishment for offences such as murder, sodomy, fornication, apostasy and other crimes against community.

Statistics show that from January 2001 to December 2010, a total of 14 people were sentenced to death by the courts and none were below 18 years of age. These sentences were never enforced and were commuted to life imprisonment under the power vested to the President in Clemency Act.

However, MP Ahmed Mahloof and several other MPs are of the view that if death penalty or capital punishment is re-introduced in the Maldives, it would bring down crime in Maldives, and have decided to propose the amendment in consultation with several people including fellow parliamentarians.

Last April, Mahloof, parliamentary group member government-aligned Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), forwarded a bill proposing that the enforcement of death penalty be mandatory in the event it was upheld by the Supreme Court. This would halt the current practice of the President commuting such sentences to life imprisonment.

Mahloof based his argument for the proposal of the bill on the fact that 29 people had been killed in the past three years in gang related crimes.

The young MP contended: “I believe nobody would want to die. So if the death penalty is enforced, a person who is to commit a murder would clearly know that if he carries out the act, his punishment would be his life. I believe this will deter him from committing such acts,” Mahloof said.

Mahloof’s remarks echo the classic argument used by politicians and pro-death penalty advocates around the globe: Capital punishment deters crimes.

But, does it actually? Let’s ask the experts from America.

A survey of the most leading criminologists in the country found that the overwhelming majority “did not believe” that the death penalty is a “proven deterrent to homicide”.

Eighty-eight percent of the country’s top criminologists do not believe the death penalty acts as a deterrent to homicide, according to the study, Do Executions Lower Homicide Rates? The Views of Leading Criminologists published in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology.

Similarly, 87 percent of the expert criminologists believe that abolition of the death penalty would not have any significant effect on murder rates.

The survey relied on questionnaires completed by the most pre-eminent criminologists in the country, including Fellows in the American Society of Criminology; winners of the American Society of Criminology’s prestigious Southerland Award; and recent presidents of the American Society of Criminology. Respondents were not asked for their personal opinion about the death penalty, but instead to answer on the basis of their understandings of the empirical research.

On a separate note, 75 percent of the experts agreed that “debates about the death penalty distract Congress and state legislatures from focusing on real solutions to crime problems”- a familiar trait observed in the Maldivian context, where members of the People’s Majlis spend hours arguing, often engrossed in prevarications.

Prior to Mahloof’s motion, two members had forwarded similar bills to enforce death penalty. But after lengthy debates in multiple parliament sessions, both withdrew it.

Meanwhile reading the aforementioned conclusion of the research, I was reminded of a recent conversation with a friend about the death penalty on Facebook.

“I don’t understand why everyone is so eager talking about punishment, before anything else,” said Hammad Hassan, 26. He continued, “Criminals are a product of our society I guess. Someone needs to go in deep and see what the hell is going wrong.”

“Capital punishment has its age-old arguments and jousting between liberals and conservatives. We like to get into debates about stuff. But I guess it’s the wrong debate that’s going on here,” the Tourism and Hospitality graduate pointed out.

He added: “We fixate on issues like this, without even thinking, and the media, and politicians do their job of sensationalising crime.”

“The current rise in crime is pure economics I would say. Too many are out of jobs, many youth are on drugs and everyone wants to have a good time (coffee, a bottle of alcohol or a joint, etc etc),” he typed into the chat window.

So much truth in what he said.

In the Initial Report of Maldives under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prepared by Human Rights Commission (HRCM) last month, the commission acknowledged there are a number of direct and indirect factors attributing to the increasing fatal criminal activity.

“High numbers of unemployed youth, and the persistent substance abuse and drug addiction among youth in the country are indirect factors catalysing the increase in crime,” HRCM emphasized.

According to the authorities, the Maldives has a staggering unemployment rate of 29 percent, of which half belong to youth age brackets. Meanwhile, the country faces a spiralling drug epidemic, with an estimated 40 percent of youth using hard drugs -a well known trigger of violent and high risk behavior.

A comment on Minivan News read: “In the Maldives we have enough people who turned to psychopaths due to drugs who are well capable of committing any heinous crime.”

Most death penalty advocates call for reinstating death penalty, saying “It shouldn’t be seen as retribution. It is to ensure the safety of society”.

But Amnesty International counters this argument. According to the group, “The threat of execution at some future date is unlikely to enter the minds of those acting under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, those who are in the grip of fear or rage, those who are panicking while committing another crime (such as a robbery), or those who suffer from mental illness or mental retardation and do not fully understand the gravity of their crime.”

The couple facing murder charges in the most recent homicide of Lawyer Ahmed Najeeb, confessed in court that they were under the influence of drug and intoxicated from heavy alcohol use while they committed the crime.

But, will the politicians and lawmakers give the necessary attention to these real issues, instead of divulging into the endless debate over the death penalty?

According to Aishath Velezinee, formerly the President’s appointee to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC),  Mahloof’s death penalty amendment is another attempt by the MPs to avoid “the real issue” and to “deceive the public”.

“The real issue for thriving crime is corruption. The constitution has recognised this and required the judiciary be checked and cleansed.  The JSC breached the constitution, and those MPs are proposing this to cover up the JSC,” Velezinee said in a previous interview.

“Islam upholds justice, and not only has death penalty; it has very clear qualifications for judges too. Neither MP Mahloof, nor any of the Sheikhs, has expressed alarm that the judges are far below standard and some of them are convicted criminals themselves. This is pure politics and abuse of Islam,” she added.

Although the pro-capital punishment sentiments are growing stronger with the symbolic support from country’s top officials including the Chief of Justice, Home Minister and the Attorney General, enforcing the capital punishment is far from happening any time soon while several pertinent legislations are stalled in the parliament, with no indication of when they will be passed.

These legislations, which Human Rights Commission says “could make an impact on the death penalty” include, the Revised Penal Code, Criminal Procedures Code, Evidence Bill and Witness Act.

It also adds: “Maldives is yet to establish an independent forensic institution to provide accurate information to support the judiciary to make an impartial decision on matters concerning the administration of the death penalty.”

The existing Penal Code which was enforced in 1981 and its last amendment made in 200 has many parts which are not relevant to the present context and does not reflect the spirit of the present Constitution.

Moreover, the commission identifies the inadequate legislation pertaining to evidence and witnesses, dismissal of forensic evidence by courts, absence of a witness protection program and inadequate correctional and rehabilitation system for convicted offenders as key factors for rising crimes.

Several members of the public and commentators meanwhile have a another pressing concern. What will happen when an “incapacitated” judiciary is given the power to take some one’s life?

“If there is death penalty without a good system, it will be subjected to political abuse to settle scores,” a person predicted in a comment to Minivan News. “Besides, such crimes results from bad system and bad policies,” he added.

As the debate over the reintroduction of death penalty continues, it would be foolish to assume it will only remain a domestic matter.

The Maldives has affirmed the UN Resolution of Moratorium on death penalty on 18 December 2007, which emphasises all states that still provision capital punishment “progressively restrict the use of the death penalty and reduce the number of offences for which it may be imposed.”

This resolution still needs to be passed by the parliament.

But, abolition of capital punishment in all states is a call publicly endorsed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon himself. Therefore, in the face of international pressures to the states to abolish death penalty, the Maldives will likely be scrutinised to its core, and sooner or later, if it intends to reintroduce the practice of capital punishment.

One of the serious concerns would of course be the fact that child offenders may be sentenced to death in the Maldives if the mandatory death penalty motion passes.

According to the Human Rights Commission, however, minors are liable to bear criminal responsibility for some offences such as the unlawful intentional killing of human beings, and other offences relating to homicide and participation in such offences.

Several minors are currently facing such charges in court.

But, without a Penal Code which encompasses provisions on penalties for offences committed by minors and a Juvenile Justice Bill explicitly proscribing the death penalty, these minors will be executed once the law makes it mandatory.

Such a move will spark unprecedented international criticism towards the island nation, already facing scrutiny over its human rights violations, growing fundamentalism and troubled democracy.

These factors must not stand in way if the judicially-sanctioned killings are the only answer to Maldives high crime rate. But before we draw to the conclusion with purely basing the religious argument, authorities need to provide clear evidence that the death penalty is a deterrent to serious crime. That it will, in fact rekindle public safety and security.

The Human Rights Commission observes: “Murders were committed in public places during the daytime. Victims of gang violence either end up with permanent injuries or death. It is to be noted that most of the people who are involved in cases of extreme violence, and murders are repeat offenders (sometimes juveniles).”

“This shows failure on the part of law enforcement authorities and criminal justice system in the country.” the commission contends. Members have further added that the lack of a “comprehensive integrated crime prevention mechanism remains the greatest weakness in addressing the issue of increase in crime.

Therefore, for now, the greatest deterrent to crime is the likelihood that offenders will be apprehended, convicted and punished. It is that which is presently lacking in our criminal justice system; and it is at this level and through adressing the causes of crime that the state must seek to combat lawlessness.

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49 thoughts on “Will the death penalty halt the Maldives’ crime surge?”

  1. Yes it would. God has said so.

    God has said so. God has said so. Who are we to question his guidance.

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  2. "I would rather let 10 guilty men go free than executing 1 innocent person"

    I think the issue here is how do we prove that someone is guilty without a shred of doubt.

    let's not be hasty and let the state have a free hand in executing innocent men and women. I wouldn't be even surprised if different governments use this as a political tool to get rid of opposing views.

    Leave the Pandora's box as it is, for gods sake!

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  3. The increase of homicide rate in Maldives is may be how nature balances the population increase in ratio with the space that is available to survive. It is so wonderful to see that how nature plays vital role to balance any surge that threatens the ecosystem. We see how this is happening in Maldives.
    Population increased more than the resources and space available, this has resulted in economic and social stress damaging the pre frontal cortex of the brain causing clinical psychiatric problem in response to environmental stimuli, drug, less sleep, poor diet has totally made this part of the brain dysfunctional. So they behave like predators and everyone knows what this means. These killing and anti social activity issues are to increase. It is much more deeply rooted problem and need good political system to solve these problems and it is far beyond the reach of mullah type MPS and politicians.

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  4. go screw yourself, someone close to me had passed away from a crime of this sort,(this year)
    so really lets see someone close to you end up 6 feet under before you run your mouth C***

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  5. There is no social ill that garrotting cannot fix. Let would be murderers, apostates, sodomizers and harlots live under the fear of swift, on the spot, justice and thus provide them ample incentive to repent from their errant ways.

    If they do not, only the truly virtuous shall remain. Alhamdulillaah.

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  6. @lubna ali on Fri, 6th Jul 2012 1:14 AM

    Your language gives a glimpse of you personality, which is not that different from a hard criminal.

    How can this country improve with such hate. I am more disgusted in you.

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  7. Quite clearly the answer is no! However, it will certainly trigger a killing spree by the State.

    Will it do any good? Maybe, since it will progressively reduce the proportion of violent criminals in the population and reduce the burden on the State of long term incarceration. If 40% of young people are on hard drugs, then perhaps 20% of them would end up committing a violent crime.

    This could be a good way to trim the population of undesirables!

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  8. Dhivehi Hangyourself.....I am shocked to find you alive.
    I was hoping someone had followed my advice to feed you to the big croc Kinboo in the zoo.
    Will someone please shove this lunatic in Kinboo's cage and bolt the door?

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  9. The only difference of death penalty is that the convict cannot later be released back into society through powerful inside connections. This confidence of immunity is rampant among criminals in Maldives. I think the most dangerous and leading criminals will still be safely in society as they will never be found guilty of a crime with death penalty outcome.

    The other problem through inside connection is that the president still has the power to reduce the penalty to life imprisonment. So as with everything else in Maldives, when a member of a prominent family commits such a crime (and they will as a lot of the criminal bosses are from those families), the president will get undue influence whose support is very important to him. And hence it will be only the children of the poor people who will be excecuted for these crimes with richer elite able to buy the president's clemency.

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  10. My father gets murdered and the state makes sure the murderer gets death penalty before I kill him.
    ...at least on way how the death penalty would be handy.

    Would you write this article if it was your father who was murdered?

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  11. Before we talk about the death penalty, we should hold a hearing in parliament to investigate why the Gayoom administration failed to address the drug problem in the Maldives.

    We need to go the roots, the source of the problems of a society gone very sick rather than deal with the symptoms and consequences of those problems.

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  12. it will definitely help. Europeans are awry about capital punishment because of the inquisition and the church/state collusion in politics which killed millions in the mediveil age.

    But this is not medievial age and this is not about politics. this is about Maldivians who kill people in cold blood, who confess to thier crimes and 99% of the population want them to taste the death they gave to their victim. is there any problem here?

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  13. It is easy to criticise the death penalty as to harsh too strict. Yet it must not be forgotten, that we are talking about giving the Death penalty to people who have taken other people's lives. A person who does not care about the life of another person, is willing to kill, and has killed other human beings, and many others so that he or she can enjoy some worldy benefit does indeed deserve the Death penalty. Teenagers are turning into murderers and assaulting people with knives, unafraid of the consequences to them because they believe that even though they will get arrested, the only thing bad that will happen is they will spend two or three years in prison and then return to their life.

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  14. “I believe nobody would want to die. So if the death penalty is enforced, a person who is to commit a murder would clearly know that if he carries out the act, his punishment would be his life. I believe this will deter him from committing such acts,” Mahloof said.

    This would clearly be depended on a competent justice and legal system that can prove beyond reasonable doubt that the person had indeed committed the crime. Throw in a bit of bribery, cunningness and intimidation, you will have the accused roaming free in no time...

    BRILLIANT IDEA!!

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  15. So long as political leaders patronize gangs crimes including murder will not go down.

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  16. @moosa rahseed,
    "and 99% of the population want them to taste the death they gave to their victim"

    please speak for yourself and not the rest of the population, unless you have conducted a reliable survey of the entire population that proves 99% agrees with your views - which I personally disagree with very strongly.

    Thank you!

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  17. The death penalty is not a deterrence to crime. In countries like the United States, where people are still put to death, the crime rate increases rather than decreases regardless of the threat of death or otherwise.

    The death penalty usually causes more suffering to the victims family. As the legal appeals process for the culprit could drag for years cause more pain and suffering for the victims family. Even the cost associated in putting a man or woman to death (with all legal wrangling) is much higher than keeping one alive for the rest of their lives in a prison.

    Many innocent people have been put to death under the death penalty in the few nations that still carry out capital punishment. Also, it's inevitable that due to the quality of judiciary and political environment, many may be put to death simply due to corruption or political reasons.

    Eventually, the Taliban side of Maldivian politics would use the death penalty to prosecute people for such things as adultery, homosexuality, apostasy and anything they pull out of thin air.

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  18. Substance abuse is the driver behind most of the crimes committed including the homicide of Lawyer Najeeb. How the drug problem got out of hand is a question the nation should ask MAG. His inaction is the main reason we are in this mess.

    Other factor involves the expensive life style adopted by youth who in order to remain cool and trendy need tons of money. They are prepared to grab that even if it meant taking the life of another human being.

    Death penalty is the obvious solution that comes to the minds of people whenever shocked by the tragic news of another murder. Leaving aside the emotions, the implication of a small community like Maldives killing humans may drag us even into deeper pit.

    Needless to say and I know it is outrageous even to imagine is the solution suggested by our former President - offer the youth the forbidden drink or something of sort. A solution that will cut the drug use by 50% overnight!

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  19. @K
    Now you are clutching at straws. Just read the story in haveeru or Sun and see how people rated the comments.

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  20. @Moosa rasheed on Fri, 6th Jul 2012 6:36 AM

    Really? In that case why start with previous regime? Let's start with we let the king rape & execute young girls. And while we are at it, let's discuss why the Moroccon terrorist landed here without a visa and started spreading hate here.

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  21. @no hate please
    Its kind of amazing to see someone judgemental about someone who had taken a loss of that sort,

    Wonder how you would deal with it if you had to suffer in a similar manner

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  22. it is surely a pandora's box we cant afford to open what with such a corrupt legal system in place. if the death penalty were to be imposed, we will soon see it being imposed for fornication, apostasy, sodomy and treason etc. if u impose the death penalty for murder, it will open floodgates which no man will be able to close. the death penalty doesn't mete out justice; only revenge. so try to rise above the hatred and anger and fight for ways to cleanse out the system before giving a loaded gun to the corrupt officials who do nothing but wreak havoc on this once peaceful nation!

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  23. Of course it is understandable, if somemone hurt my family, I would also want to kill them.

    It is fairly natural, but is personal need for satisfaction of vengeance the Sunnah of our Beloved Nabi (SAW)?

    Hawwa Lubna did point out that the advocates of the death penalty use utilatarian arguments - or 'Maslahah' in a Muslim context, not arguments of retribution.

    The problem is, I feel, is that the understanding of the Islamic Law used by those who are advocating the death penalty is not routed deeply in this concept that Allah is the Merciful, and that everything that the Prophet did is said to have been inspired by this Mercy - in this context the implementation of the law have to be understood.

    From Tafsir - Ibn Kathir... "Allah the Exalted said, 'I Am Ar-Rahman (the Merciful) I created the Raham (womb, i.e. family relations) and derived a name for it from My Name..."

    " (Ar-Rahman (Allah) rose over (Istawa) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His majesty).) (20:5)

    Allah thus mentioned the Istawa - rising over the Throne - along with His Name Ar-Rahman, to indicate that His mercy encompasses all of His creation."

    According to modern contextual Islamic commentary, and I believe such commentary is compatible with the many appeals to forgiveness and Mercy in Qur'an and Sunnah, everything the Prophet (SAW) did was ultimately an expression of Mercy - he preferred to win people over to Mercy through Mercy - and only ever implemented ANY violence, ANY provocative language, ANY physical fighting, ANY physical punishments as a last resort when NOTHING else seemed to work to deter further DEATH.

    The Sirah and much of our Hadith, even those termed Sahih, are contextual reconstruction aimed at asserting a certain view point rather than actual history so we are talking about ideological constructs... but the construct I am saying will promote a more peaceful Maldives - is the construct of the emphasis of the Mercy in Islam, the promotion of Islamic tales of empathy and compassion as the examples the Maldives should follow to cultivate a more peaceful, constructive society.

    Mercy for all the Worlds (The Prophet was desribed as) and our Rasul forgave killers, was compassionate toward many killers, adulterers, even apostates, I will quote the exact Hadith if I thought you had the time but all punishments prescribed for apostasy, adultery, murder need to be understood in the context that such were only implemented when there was no other way to save life. I will present the examples, context from Sunnah on another occasion, but the implications ofaving mercy as the foundation of Maldivian culture (Mercy is Allah as described so it should be) are HUGE

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  24. If this culture of Mercy was cultivated, through practical means AND ideological means, greater levels of empathy would exist between Maldivians and there would not be all of this violence, intolerance, injustice, hatred, greed and fear in the first place.

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  25. Let us not talk about age old, capital or linear punishment. I would not agree that the crime level here has much to do with social structure, i,e lack of jobs, shelter, parental care and so on. Instead, it a lot to do with high profile politicians and businessmen. Just simply do not blame our youth. As per rumors, drug selling and murder contracts are given to some gang groups by high profiled guys as said above. Are American Experts' findings valid?? Why are the same guys eager to pass hash,ie capital punishments,especially onto so called " MUSLIM TERRORISTS " ?? Why did they hang President Saddam Hussein?? Not only that, they jeered and laughed at him when he was about to die, with sympathy?? because some one is facing capital punishment for his crimes?? no of course not, but humiliate him and the Muslim in general. The timing of the hanging was not a coincidence on Muslim day of EId.
    After all, the American and Israeli criminal experts agree with the general principle that, criminal should be taught lessons, give hash punishments, as exemplary, to discourage and dispirit the prospective crime eager minds. If criminal are let loose, for the sake of democracy, to do whatever they want, and keep them feel that they have market for their notoriety from high profile businessmen and politicians, we are bond to have bigger waves of crime in future. It is either punishing them with appropriate measures , i.e capital punishment or not any!!

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  26. This is an opportunity that cannot be wasted. The heretic has fallen from grace and our government proceeds towards virtue. Our law enforcement officials are swift and competent. Our courts are no longer under pressure to favour apostates and infidels.

    This is an opportunity pregnant with the promise of addressing not only the mundane issue of criminal deterrence but that of the vast swarms of sodomizers, munafiqs and traitors who pollute our air.

    We can finally rid ourselves of MalDeviants and begin a glorious reign of virtue. None should be spared.

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  27. @ll on Fri, 6th Jul 2012 10:44 AM

    The murder is a monster. Why would you want to go to his level?

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  28. Interesting. Let's see if they have the balls to actually go ahead and start executing people at Republican square. If it does happen, here comes the Shariah system and we shall all watch as the country falls into chaos.

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  29. Casey Anthony was going to face death penalty if found guilty of killing her 3 year old daughter. Everyone knows she killed her and her lawyer saves her ass! Now she is fleeing the country feared of her life!

    What is so special in a lawyer than a 13 year old innocent teen ? I wish if we all were lawyers or another najeeb. Please do not use the traditional way of executing by hanging. I prefer a lethal injection to be used.

    http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/8923/55324710150893086971990.jpg

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  30. 2 years after public hanging in the Republican square there will be no Maldivians living in such towns as Bangaluru, Colombo, Kuala Lampur etc, all the foreign doctors will have departed, no medicines available and we will subsist on a diet of fish, breadfruit, taro and fruits of trees that grow in swamps.

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  31. And of course are those who order the execution of someone who is later found to be innocent themselves not deserving of being executed. As for it being a deterrent, one just has to look at homicide rates in the US as compared to homicide rates in the EU (to join the EU a country, if it already has capital punishment, has to remove it from the statute books) to realise capital punishment doesn't reduce homicide rates. Ted Bunty actually committed his final murders in Florida so that he would be executed.

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  32. @ Wives and concubines. Well! it was untold chaos in Iraq, when the Americans and their Jew masters fulfilled Sharia Law by hanging President Saddam Hussein to death in public on a MUSLIM day of EID. They had the choice to imprison him for life or to give him lethal injection in secrecy without media being present in there. But they chose the hash and capital method to teach an exemplary lesson to the wanna be prospective criminals, with the belief that such punishments would deter crimes. Remember, they are the promoters of " ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT, A UNIFORM LAW IN THEIR FAVOUR" if anything is in their favour it is lawful, if anything is against their favour it is unlawful and illegal.

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  33. I don't think our Judiciary system is ready for it. We need more laws, and trust worthy judges.

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  34. Before we talk about the death penalty, how about any penalty. You can commit any crime in the Maldives, all you need is the right connections in the police, courts (judges can be bribed), a minister, influential member of parliment or some way to blackmail anyone who is someone in the government and you walk free. No penalty serves as a deterrent after thirty years of being able to commit crimes without any consequences

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  35. Woman dies after meeting President Obama
    Why cant Minivan write such stories that brings the community together instead of toxic politics...and more politics.

    http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/akron-restaurant-owner-dies-hours-after-meeting-president-obama-1.318594

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  36. the 2 views of Death Penalty in US

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18699442

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  37. can we test the death penalty on gayoom and see if it works as claimed by mahloaf, kaamineege jester.

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  38. i like ur comment salee. pls introduce like and dislike button or upgrade the website @ MINIVANNEWS

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  39. A Government which controls a Judiciary and a Legal system that can and will kill, Legally, considering the tendency to use, abuse the LAW, and Islam, for political gain I will bet you that many political opponents will be killed in the name of Justice...

    We have to overcome this culture of fear and power hunger.

    INDEED! The tremors of the volcanic lust for power of the elite in the Maldives – (I call them the Children of the Ranummari) have unleashed upon many Maldivians, a roaring tsunami of fear and rage.

    Due to threats that I have received myself and the fact that I have to return to the Maldives, fear has violently forced my own mind deep into a sad and painful hole – the emptiness which I call the sacred darkness of being. My soul wilts, the trauma is relentless. Yet, for me, this black hole is also the gateway into the other dimension. As the Prophet (SAW) explained…There is no barrier between the oppressed and Allah (SWT.)

    Emerging from within my darkness is a personal sense of the Sekina (Presence of Glorious Peace.) It is all around me, within me, creating life and power out of the fabric of death itself. It leads my heart towards its source; high beyond the Heavens – above the Justice of Allah – to the foundation of this Justice –to the ontological foundation of ALL Being, Ar-Rahman (The Merciful)

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  40. @Ben PlewRight

    'tremors of the volcanic lust for power of the elite in the Maldives'

    Well said.

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  41. Did the death penalty eliminate drug offences in Malaysia and Singapore.

    I beleive the effect of death penalty on reduction / elimination of deliberate murders will very much depend on the mode of execution of death penalty.

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  42. Quoting Hammad Hassan,eh? Lubna, my friend have no one else to quote? Hammad Hassan is a jackass who does not keeps his mouth shut except talk of his drug experiences. The pot calling the kettle black!

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  43. i think the death penalty should be there in maldives who cares what happened in Malaysia and Singapore the amount of kids and people getting raped and killed is unbelievable. death penalty should be put to trial for a year also

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  44. The US loves their death penalty yet the high crime rate never goes down.

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