No right to kill.

(From New Straits Times (Malaysia))

Byline: DR G. JOHNSON

ABOLISH the death penalty (NST, March 21). Yes! By all means.

The death penalty is a remnant of ancient practice when the rule of law was an eye-for-an-eye and a life for a life. The death penalty is not in conformity with modern civilisation. We abhor suicide where one ends his or her life. So where is the rationale for ending another person's life? History proves beyond doubt that not all death penalties are justified.

If death penalties were imposed to prevent criminals from serious offences, why are these crimes still prevalent? The root causes for heinous crimes are many. …