Letters / Bombs don’t beat terrorists
It is disappointing to hear Mr Carmichael become an apologist for Conservative party foreign policy.
In his letter to the Shetland News, (Carmichael on why he backs Syrian airstrikes; SN, 2/12/15), Mr Carmichael states that “ISIL/Da’esh is a brutal organisation that subjugates woman, tortures and executes gays and will kill or torture anyone in their own community that does not actively support them…They are a force that has to be confronted.” Unfortunately, this is true, but Da’esh is not the only ‘state’ to do this.
In terms of capital punishment and subjugation of minority groups America is hardly a beacon of hope. In Washington State a black defendant is three times more likely to be dealt a death sentence than a white defendant in a similar case. (Prof. K. Beckett, Univ. of Washington, 2014).
In Louisiana, a defendant whose victim was white is 97 per cent more likely to be executed than a defendant whose victim was black. (Pierce & Radelet, Louisiana Law Review, 2011).
And in North Carolina you are 3.5 times more likely to receive the death penalty if your victim is white. (Prof. Jack Boger and Dr. Isaac Unah, University of North Carolina, 2001). Admirably, Mr Carmichael used to say a lot about this; he is less vocal now.
Then there is China, our new best friend and trading partner who just received the most lavish and expensive state visit and unfettered access to UK plc.
They also happen to be the country that executes the most citizens, in fact they execute more than the rest of the world combined. “The Chinese government keep the number of executions a secret…It is estimated that China imposed 7003 death sentences in 2008, although this may be a significant underestimate. A 2009 estimate had China passing out about 140 sentences per week” interestingly, one of the crimes for which you can be executed in China is treason; this explains the lack of political opposition in the country (http://www.deathpenaltyworldwide.org/country-search-post.cfm?country=China).
Mr Carmichael’s letter would suggest that the Liberal Democrat’s will now be pursuing military action, or at least sanctions against China.
Let us consider our close friend and ally Saudi Arabia, for whom our government flew flags at half mast when their king passed. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s most prolific executioner states. Between January and June this year they executed 102 people. Almost half of these executions are for non-lethal crimes, such as, ‘adultery’, armed robbery, ‘apostasy’, drug-related offences, rape, ‘witchcraft’ and ‘sorcery’.
In Saudi Arabia capital punishment is used in breach of international human rights laws. Defendants are routinely denied access to lawyers and trials are conducted in secrecy. Convictions may be arrived at through evidence or confessions disclosed during torture.
Our ally and business partner also pays no heed to the United Nations Right of The Child by routinely executing juveniles, as well as people with learning difficulties. Justice is usually dispensed by the blade of a sword at a public beheading. (https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/08/the-death-penalty-in-saudi-arabia-facts-and-figures/)
Where is the major difference between them and Da’esh? By the logic outlined in his letter Mr Carmichael will be tabling a motion in parliament for the bombing of Riyadh.
I had hoped, given his involvement with Kenny Richey and his opposition to capital punishment, Mr Carmichael would have a more nuanced view of capital punishment and the various methods states use to control and subjugate their citizens.
What difference is there between Da’esh and the Chinese or Saudi’s? Is it permissible to torture and kill because you are extremely wealthy and do business with UK plc?
I, like most people, find the actions of Da’esh/ISIL abhorrent. What happened in Paris was a tragedy, but why is it this that spurs us into action?
Where was Mr Carmichael and his Conservative friends’ tough talk and fast action when in excess of 5,000 Yazidis were killed and 5,000 more Yazidi women and children were abducted?
Why does the loss of 130 European lives have much more impact on the international community than the loss and destruction of thousands of Yazidi lives?
I believe we will only begin combating terrorism when we challenge this world view and take steps to tackle our neo-colonial approach.
Bombs don’t beat terrorists; they create more.
Logan Nicolson
North Park Villa
Berry Road
Scalloway
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