Executing Sajida al-Rishawi is NOT the answer to killing Moaz al-Kasasbeh
The grisly execution of Moaz al-Kasasbeh has further highlighted something we have all known: the so-called ‘Islamic State’ are cruel thugs, whose actions don’t represent Muslims, Islam, or any radical, militant movement with an iota of morality or humanity.
But the decision to execute Sajida al-Rishawi, along with others already imprisoned in Jordan in response to barbaric murder of al-Kasasbeh is political folly, to say the least, and will do more harm than good.
First, it is clear that IS are attempting to provoke the type of war that will eventually cross over into Jordan itself. Playing their game is a big mistake.
Second, revenge should not be a political strategy; it is a clear expression for the lack of one.
Third, Sajiida has been imprisoned for years and constitute no present danger to Jordan or anyone else. Her fate should be determined based on legal and judicial dialectics that are consistent with international law, not retribution to murder, no matter how grisly.
Fourth, she didn’t ask to be including in the IS prisoner exchange, therefore should not be held accountable for the savage murder of al-Kasasbeh.
Finally, her execution will further undermine Jordan, as a state that should not be subscribing to the type of murderous logic applied by a militant group with no legitimacy and no popular mandate.
To execute #SajidaalRishawi in response to murder by #IslamicState of #MoazAlKasasbeh will do more harm than good http://t.co/aJX5H7HIhd
— Ramzy Baroud (@RamzyBaroud) February 3, 2015
3 Comments
riaaz booley
February 3, 2015 at 8:44 pmHas any sense of justice,the very foundation of islam,ever prevailed in any muslim country.Fully agree that killing of sajida al rishawi is not the corcrect course of action,and as you imply,she must be granted a fair trial with fair representation.The very which will give the arab worlds kangaroo judicial process a modicum of respectability and honour in setting precedent for future trials.
Daoud Kuttab
February 4, 2015 at 11:00 amWhile I agree with you in general, I think you might not be aware that Sajida and Karbouli were both sentenced to death back in 2006,2007 I believe and in fact I had asked and was told that she was slated to be hanged even before the current hostage case evolved. What happened is that they speed up the process of implementing the capital punishment (they had hanged 11 criminals last month)/
Guy G.
February 4, 2015 at 4:56 pmI agree – but what does the author feel Jordan and other nations should do regarding these “cruel thugs”?