Youth groups back death penalty

 By GABRIEL FITO

YOUTH groups from two major settlements in Wewak, East Sepik, support the government’s move to impose the death penalty.

A spokesman for the Nuigo and Umbrella market youth groups, Jamie Maigau, said they had lengthy discussions on the topic and agreed that Justice Minister Kerenga Kua was making the right move to impose the death penalty for serious crimes.

“Why should we allow those who take away innocent lives to go on living?” Maigau said

“Church pastors, clergymen and Christians may speak against this penalty yet those who kill murder do not uphold Christian principles.

“It’s an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. If someone does not love his brother and kills him, his life should be taken away because he did not spare his brother’s life in the first instance.”

Maigau said the death penalty would act as a deterrent because people would be scared to die if they killed someone else. 

The youths also called on the government to create more job opportunities for youths.

“Coming from the settlements, we really know the potential of selling homebrew and drugs for money to sustain our families’ living,” Maigau said.

“Increasing jail terms for these offences will not stop these activities. There must be alternate avenues for thousands living in settlements to support themselves.” 

Meanwhile, Niu Sepik Cocoa Growers’ managing director Henry Takombe also voiced his support for the death penalty. 

He said  said a lot of killings in the country had painted a terrible impression on investment in PNG.

“Investors would want to come to develop our vast natural resources but if the law and order situation does not improve, they will be too scared to come,” Takombe said.

“If someone takes away an innocent life, he must be hanged or electrocuted.”

He said the death penalty was the solution to increasing violent lawlessness because people would be scared to die if they commited serious crimes.

“The current penalty of life imprisonment does not affect prisoners in any way,“ Takombe said. 

They get a second chance to live and are enjoying all the freedom inside the jail after taking away innocent lives.”