While I respect Fiona Smyth's support for Amnesty International's campaign for the total abolition of the death penalty I feel this campaign in some ways actually devalues human life.

Most murders occur due to unique circumstances. Few killers kill again. After an appropriate punishment most become productive members of society. This is especially true of political killers.

Unfortunately, there are a very small number of violent individuals who demonstrate a total disregard for the life of others. Even these individuals must initially be given the benefit of the doubt. However if they continue to kill then they should face the death penalty. If the death penalty required at least two separate murder convictions a miscarriage of justice would be unlikely and the death penalty would seldom if ever be used.

The modern view is that since the death penalty would seldom be used it would have no effect and so should be abolished. I don't think the effect of reintroduction would be statistically significant but I believe that occasionally an attacker would consider the death penalty and pull his punch. If reintroduction saved just one innocent life it would be worthwhile. Abolitionists should remember that imprisoning a violent individual for many years places prison officers and fellow inmates at daily risk of injury, or worse.

The death penalty, even though it is unlikely to be used, would send a strong message to violent individuals and reaffirm societies' commitment to the sanctity of human life. I once saw and touched an actual hangman's noose. It was the real thing complete with wooden disc to break the prisoner's neck. It was new and hadn't been used but it still sent shivers down my spine.

The deterrent value of the death penalty would mostly benefit the poorer and weaker members of society. They are more vulnerable to violent attacks than the professional and ruling classes who can afford to live in safer areas.

Perhaps members of Amnesty International should consider whether some aspects of their valuable work might be counterproductive and actually increase the suffering of the most vulnerable members of society. Sometimes overreaction to one evil can have unintended negative results.

Tom Kirk
Lisburn