VICTIMIZED JOURNALISTS

Journalists are the brave beings among us who are not afraid to expose the truth, may it be a matter concerning national interest or some intelligence info leak. They tend to work their lives off in service of the public but what return do they get? Death. Journalism has evolved manifolds due to contribution of technology and most of all internet, they were not scared to post the truth in the local newspaper or a blog, unfortunately the case is reversed so one might wonder about the relativity of Freedom of Speech in modern era. Muslim countries that exist in the South of Asia are the target of religious extremism where intolerance has long since prevailed. Journalists are victimized when they support nonreligious beliefs, raise voice against Muslim extremists or try to change the corrupt system through media. Journalist's duties are concerned to display the motives of certain actions but it is unjustifiable to end their lives for a mere exposure. Though some journalists are also a target of terrorist attacks but the majority are a scapegoat in the prevalent social ill of criticizing journalists and then taking hardcore measures.

• International Federation of Journalists has reported, since 1990 at least 2297 journalists and media workers have been killed.
• Iraq is ranked at the top with 309 killings followed by the Philippines 146, Mexico 120, Pakistan 115, Russian Federation 109, Algeria 106, India 95, Somalia 75, Syria 67 and Brazil 62.
• The IFJ further said that journalists lost their lives in targeted killings, bomb attacks, in the cross-fire and kidnappings in wars and armed conflicts across the globe while others were killed by organised crime barons and corrupt officials.
• Some 112 journalists and media professionals were killed last year alone, although the peak year was 155 killings in 2006.

As it is clear as glass that some journalists were killed because of some ulterior motive which is absolutely unacceptable in this day and age. The journalist safety must be a priority and media should protest any such act.

Solution:
With just one out of 10 killings investigated in the past, the future is a bleak one for journalists. The UN urges to end the impunity for killings and other attacks on media professionals because failure in this regard only fuels the violence against them. These deaths of journalists are not only confined to passing away but they also represented our tribute for their courage and the ultimate sacrifice paid by journalists in massive numbers, who lost their lives fulfilling the role to inform and empower the public. Many journalists are deprived of law in their respective countries for their safety. Security and military officers and others who deal with them must respect their independence for ensuring their safety in the first phase and governments should comply with their international obligations by investigating journalists' killings and bringing those responsible to justice, thus deterring future violence. Lastly, journalists have to refrain from activities which are perilous for them to avoid any unnecessary fuss unless the matter is of utmost importance.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty is a government sanctioned practice whereby a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes and capital offences. Capital punishment has often been debated in favor of opposition, the activity is described as inhumane whereas those who support this idea put out the point of  'some crimes require death to implant fear in others to not repeat the sin'. The latter accuse the former of exonerating the criminals off the right judgement which they deserve.

• Fifty eight countries retain capital punishment, 102 countries have completely abolished it for all crimes, six have abolished it for ordinary crimes (while maintaining it for special circumstances such as war crimes), and 32 are abolitionist in practice (meaning that they have not executed anyone during the last 10 years).
• Over 60% of the world population resides in countries where capital punishment is retained such as United States of America, India, China and Indonesia. The countries that oppose capital punishment are Australia, European Union and Canada etc.

Capital Punishments are considered viable for different and various kinds of crimes which may also vary from country to country. Though some are common such as

1. Homicide guilty may be awarded life imprisonment but genocide guilty suffers the fate of death.
2. Drug trafficking is also considered a death punishable crime though this is the case in Asia mostly. China, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Singapore are among those countries.
3. Other crimes may include treason, rape, and in many Muslim countries, adultery and blasphemy etc.

China gave death sentences to more than a 1000 prisoners in 2015. Similarly Iran 977 and Pakistan who removed the barrier of no executions after Peshawar Attack executed 326 criminals. The methods used to carry out this practice are as follows with top being the most used:

1. Hanging
2. Shooting
3. Lethal Injection
4. Gas inhalation
5. Beheading (Saudi Arab Only)

Solution:

"The death penalty has no place in 21st century" UN secretary General Ban ki Moon is quoted as saying. The UN has manifested their argument by displaying the statistics of criminal activities as having no relationship whatsoever with the Capital Punishment. This argument is generally supported but the connection is present. The human rights activists criticize Saudi Arab's method of executions especially Stoning to death, which Iran also practices in certain cases. The crime rates do show variation, crime rate of Saudi Arab is 25.52 whereas crime rate of Italy is 45. Though some countries may differ from this theory but majority do abide by this reality even though still supporting the 'no execution' rally. It is respective countries own choice to whether execute the deserving guilty  but historically, when executions were carried out rightfully influenced by the law and justice, it always paved way for betterment. The culpable individuals may not be awarded death sentence but what the seed of fear bowed in the hearts of innocent would do is far more worse for the future.