There are almost 50 million criminals in the world. Almost 53 countries in the world have the death penalty, almost 20 countries with anti- LGBT laws and life imprisonment in 183 countries.
This article will address the ethics of treating criminals with humanity and giving them second chances aided with equality to opportunity. Are criminals’ humans or not?
Yes, they are indeed wrong.
However, does that change the fact that criminals are any less human than us?
No, it doesn’t, they are still sentient beings who may have a mistake unintentionally or intentionally. People like them have the ability to become better and contributing citizens of the world. These people deserve a second chance in the world. It is our job to give them the equality of opportunity that they rightfully deserve.
To get technical, there are two key terms that I feel are important to further increase your understanding of what I am trying to convey. The first one being ‘legal framework’ it means ‘The rules, rights, and obligations of companies, governments, and citizens are set forth in a system of legal documents called a legal framework.’
The second important key term is ‘criminal rights’ it means ‘the rights that are provided to any criminal/prisoners generally these rights are mentioned in the legal framework of a member state’.
To talk about the problems and loopholes in the legal framework.
1. The First major problem that we are facing is, we do not have any binding, universal set of rules that is centric to the guidelines and ethics concerning criminal rights, just like basic human rights which are regularly discussed, clarified, and executed by various treaties, groups, and bodies of the United Nations
2.The Second problem being that many treaties and conventions that have been signed and ratified by nations are being violated which results in a direct violation of multiple international laws that form the very basis of international. Yet, after the gravest of discrepancies, no penalties or sanctions have been enforced upon the accused
3. The Third problem is that in an inappropriate number of countries around the globe the municipal and national law is indirectly in conflict with International and Human rights which don’t only directly aid in the violation of basic criminal rights but also violate the rights of the Common Man.
4. The Fourth problem is there is no ground-level survey from which we can ensure that whether criminal rights are being granted or not.
5. The Fifth problem is there are multiple illegal prisons hosted and funded by governments around the globe, which haven’t shut down even after multiple warnings from the United Nations.
6. The Sixth problem is basic awareness. The basic awareness that is the chrysalis of all human ethics, laws and actions is nonexistent in multiple African and Middle Eastern countries. The Awareness of criminal rights is non-existent in these aforementioned nations.
The Possible solutions that I would like to convey and universally implement are
1. The First possible solution is to make a Jus Cogens law (the principles which form the norms of international law that cannot be set aside) convention that would specifically be talking about criminal/prisoner rights.
2. The Second Solution could possibly be making stricter and more implementable legal framework so that if any Nation violates any legal framework set by the United Nations would be punished with immediate effect.
3. The Third solution is that we need to set a United Nations official team for ground level survey that would have the permission to visit any state without any prior notice/information.
4. Note: - The above-mentioned points may be very effective and important in implementing criminal rights. However, the UN will undeniably face huge backlash by not just the nations around the globe but also by fellow citizens, who, quite justifiably hate criminals.
These are some of the suggestions that I believe are necessary to be implemented.
These criminals (let’s make exceptions for true demons such as Osama Bin Laden and Ted Bundy) are treated inhumanly in jail. They are molested and raped by the guards. There are stories that guard bag them and then urinate over the prisoners. Their heads are bunked in toilets and typical, cliched Orange is the New Black moments actually and realistically happen in prisons.
Then there is the hypocrisy of the death penalty, the worst of them all. Humans showing their destructive nature by ‘legally’ and ‘justifiably’ punishing other humans to death. An execution. The end of a precious life.
These criminals deserve their rights and YOUR contribution can make all the difference.
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