Death row contradicts our Christian principles

 IT is unethical and inhuman to enact and implement the death penalty in just a year. 

Politicians and departmental heads must truly serve the silent majority of this country with all their hearts. 

I say is because politicians are mandated by the citizens and so are department heads as they are appointed by the politicians. 

As public figures representing citizens of this nation, they are voted by the grassroots, youths, businessmen and women, criminals and even prisoners. 

When proposing bills and enacting laws, as leaders, they must consider the lives that they are supposed to protect. 

As a Melanesian society, we do not deserve to be executed nor should we apply any physical or corporal  punishment in our Christian country. 

Thus, execution is not acceptable  in our societies as it is inhuman in any circumstances. 

Politicians and departmental heads must not rush into the decision to implement the death penalty at this stage.

Every prisoner has wantoks and relatives, and if this law were to be implemented, it will cost the government more law and order problems. 

It is good to give life sentences and   keep   them  in  prison  until  they are old and deserve to die. 

The removal and replacement of the carved images in the parliament by Speaker Theo Zurenuoc shows that we want to be a true Christians.

So, why are we trying to enforce  execution  as a developing nation? 

If we embrace Christianity, then we must forfeit execution as the Bible discourages killing in any form. 

Leaders must not enact laws to kill and destroy lives. 

They have to come up with good policies and create employment opportunities to minimise law and order problems in the country. 

The  people  who are involved in injecting chemicals to wilful murderers   or prisoners and carry out execution   are  also subjected to  wilful  murder,  and   hence,  must be executed too. 

Jeffrey Yalakun

Port Moresby