An execution in Texas
The execution of Karla Tucker caused waves of repulsion and consternation
throughout the world. As a member of the human race I feel only shame.
This execution and its barbaric ceremonial is and remains a scandal,
a madness. A scandal because, once more, it shows that we are still trapped
inside the vicious circle of revenge. A madness: we are obviously not prepared
to believe that a person, once sentenced in the name of justice, can change.
Karla died smiling a smile of forgiveness and in prayer. The fourteen
years of waiting had made her a different person, her conversion bore witness
to the long road she had travelled and she had the wish, the need and the
resolve to become a new person.
A criminal cannot be thought just in terms of the crime he has committed,
but as a human being able to begin a new life. When we deliberately kill
a criminal can we be sure that it is still the same person whom we sentenced
for the crime?
Today, approximately 3,400 people are sitting in prison cells awaiting
their execution. Although none of these are as well-known as Karla Tucker,
they too could have changed through the years of waiting, and then when
seen as human beings are greater than their crimes.
Scandal, madness, never can the death of one compensate for that of another.
It is too much to hope that the power over life and death on this planet
of ours will one day no longer be entrusted to such authority.
To achieve this goal we need the ability to change ourselves so that
our humanity can grow.

Jacques Gaillot
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