Can public hangings reduce child abuse?

The National Assembly of Pakistan has passed a resolution calling for public hanging of offenders who are convicted for the sexual abuse of children. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Leader, Ali Muhammad Khan presented the resolution in the parliament where a majority of lawmakers passed it.

Child Abuse is a common occurrence in Pakistan. According to a report released in September 2019 by a child rights NGO, almost 1304 cases of child abuse were reported in Jan-June 2019. The report further stated that almost 729 girls and 575 boys suffered sexual abuse. Most of the cases were reported in Punjab.

Government and Opposition stance

Some of the opposition leaders and federal ministers raised voices against the presented bill calling for a public hanging. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervez Ashraf opposed the bill and stated that it is against the laws of the United Nation. Federal Minister for Science and Technology and leader of PTI, Fawad Chaudhry strongly condemned the bill as well and termed it another expression of extremism.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari clarified that the bill was presented as an individual act of Ali Muhammad Khan and was not government-sponsored.Federal Minister for Law, Farogh Naseem has said that public hanging is against Islamic teachings and the Pakistan Constitution, adding that the Supreme Court has declared public hangings as unconstitutional in 1994.

Reaction of People

Fawad Chaudhry and Shireen Mazari were in hot waters after opposing the bill. People on social media criticized the government officials who opposed the bill. One of the social media users said that Fawad Chaudhry is a person who always opposed popular opinion just to snatch some limelight. Another user said that people like Fawad Chaudhry never want society to be peaceful and PM Imran has to think who is sincere with him. One user said that Fawad Chaudhry is trying to woo the sympathies of Bilawal and the PPP by staying in PTI.

Amnesty International on Public Hanging

Amnesty International has condemned the bill calling for public hangings. Deputy South Asia Director of Amnesty International, Omar Waraich has said that child abuse is among the most horrific crimes but the death penalty is not a solution. He believes ‘executions, whether public or private, do not deliver justice.’

Death Penalty in Pakistan

Pakistan is the fifth largest country after Saudi Arabia, China, the United States, and Iran, where the death penalty exists. A death penalty is a legal act in Pakistan; however, former President Asif Ali Zardari imposed a ban on the death sentence in 2008. After the tragedy of the Army Public School on December 16, 2014, then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif removed the ban temporarily. The ban was completely lifted in March 2015.

Public Hanging in Pakistan

In 1981, during the days of former President General (retd) Ziaul Haq, a child named Pappu was abused and later murdered in Kolhapur. Soon the criminals were arrested and hanged publicly. Their bodies were left  hanging from the ropes till evening. For 10 years after the incident, no child abuse case was reported in Lahore.