NA passes resolution demanding public hanging for child rapists, drawing some lawmakers' opposition

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly approved on Friday with a sizable majority a resolution demanding public hanging for rapists of minors.

The lower house of parliament was presented the resolution by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan.

The resolution stated that rapists of children should be awarded the death penalty and executed publicly.

The Pakistan Peoples Party objected to the resolution, with PPP senior leader Raja Pervez Ashraf saying that under the rights set forth by the United Nations, culprits cannot be hanged publicly.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry also shared his views on Twitter opposing the passing of the resolution.

“Strongly condemn this resolution. This is just another grave act in line with brutal civilisation practices [sic]. Societies [should] act in a balanced way, [barbarity] is not an answer to crimes. This is another expression of extremism,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari also spoke out against the resolution.

“The resolution passed in NA today on public hangings was across party lines and not a govt-sponsored resolution but an individual act. Many of us oppose it — our Ministry of Human Rights strongly opposes this. Unfortunately, I was in a meeting and was not able to go to NA,” she said on Twitter.

Amnesty condemns bill

The Amnesty International on Friday condemned the passage of the bill in parliament, saying that public hangings were acts of unconscionable cruelty.

“The sexual abuse and murder of children are among the most horrific crimes, but the death penalty is not a solution. Public hangings are acts of unconscionable cruelty and have no place in a rights-respecting society,” said Amnesty International’s Deputy South Asia Director Omar Waraich.

Waraich called for the implementation of strong safeguarding policies and procedures, meant to guard children against abuse, to better protect the youth in Pakistan.

“Executions, whether public or private, do not deliver justice. They are acts of vengeance and there is no evidence that they serve as a uniquely effective deterrent,” said Waraich.