Justice.
Such a profound word and it often evokes strong feelings inside. But lately I have been wondering whether there is a universal understanding of what justice really is.
Some people say justice equates an eye for an eye. Blood for blood. Some implement punishment that is deemed to be proportionate to the degree of the crime committed. In the case of retaliation, imagine a man murdering another man. Under an eye for an eye philosophy, the criminal shall be sentenced to death in order to put justice into practice. The theory sounds simple and fair for some, but the execution may yield greater harms than benefits. The act of retaliation does not take into consideration the individuals that may be affected by the implementation of such punishment; it seems to regard an individual as a detached component of mankind, as if what happens to someone will not affect the others. What if the guilty has family to support? Will justice be served when the family of the guilty loses their sole breadwinner, and ultimately struggle to sustain their lives? What about the emotional scar that will be inflicted upon them? The wife will become a widow and the children fatherless. What shall be the compensation for the emotional as well as financial damage that the family of the executed have to experience? Yes of course we have to consider the victim’s family and what they have to endure, but surely the act of retaliation is not the perfect solution to this case? There should be a better means for the guilty to redeem his crime.
Some will argue that imprisonment is the way to go. You do the crime, you serve the time. I cannot say I disagree but I often wonder what the real function of imprisonment is. Based on my limited understanding, prisons seem to be isolating criminals from the society where they will be subjected to inhumane treatment. It almost feels like they are exiled, so they will not threaten our sense of security. So really, is imprisonment meant to cast the criminals away or is it meant to give them a chance to redeem themselves? Will harsh treatment ever manage to heal their morality, or raise their awareness of their social responsibility, or move them to repent for their mistakes?
Another from of punishment involves physical torture or body mutilation coupled with public humiliation. The supporters of such punishment argue that its severity will serve to deter any infringement of the laws; hence order and justice will be maintained. However, after its execution, what will happen to the guilty? Will they ever feel as a ‘complete’ human being after being subjected to such emotional and physical damage? Can we expect that they will be fully capable of redemption and becoming an active part of the community when they forever lose a part of their bodily functions?
Pray tell, what is justice, really? Everyone has their own definition of justice as well as their own set of laws and morality.
Drug traffickers may be sentenced to capital punishment in one state, while they will only serve a few years of imprisonment in another state.
Blasphemy may warrant a death penalty in conservative countries while it is a part of fundamental rights [of the so called freedom of speech] in secular countries.
Some people will cry, ‘Justice is served!’, when a serial killer is sentenced to death, while some will condemn such punishment. Then if murdering five or ten people is such a gross criminal act, what about the political leaders who declare wars and invade other countries, and then slay the innocents under the banner of self defense or foreign aids? Why then no one demands justice for the blood of the thousands, or even millions, of the innocents when the culprits act upon political stage?
So really, there only exists relative justice where laws are crafted to suit the needs and the values of the lawmakers. There is no such thing as universally absolute justice on earth. I tend to believe that something becomes fair, or lawful, when the governing body actually benefits from it. That is why social injustice is so prevalent in modern society and in a way, condoned by the government. Often times, injustice (won’t mention any example lest that anyone will be offended) becomes a big business where it generates high tax where the national revenue relies upon.
Okay, I am talking nonsense again. I wonder if there ever will be a system that can realise justice. By this I mean justice as a means to nourish and improve the community. Where the law offenders are healed by being given the chance to mend their ways and become better people, and not merely punished or cast away just because they deserve it.
Right, enough of my rambling. Laksmi's out.
