Viewed coolly, opinions whether they be for or against capital
punishment are emotional, and not rational. Pro and con arguments
attempt to justify rationally an emotional inclination. On the one
hand, neither criminologists nor law enforces can quickly agree
that the existence of capital punishment discourages capital
crimes. On the other hand, facts do not support the familiar
argument that an innocent man may fall victim to made-up evidence
or to a vindictive jury.Most humane persons would prefer to take
their stand on the basis of facts rather than feelings. It is the
object of this paper to look into the facts and to discuss the
basis for punishment in general, the function and rationale of
capital punishment, forms of capital punishment, and capital
offences and finally the arguments for and against the abolition of
the death penalty. This paper will also look into the position of
the death penalty existing in other countries only as a means to
compare and
