Capital punishment in Pakistan: 'Islam does not promote the death penalty'
Barrister Sarah Belal argues that the death penalty is not inherently promoted by Islam and that Pakistan's current halt on executions reflects a move toward a more just legal system. She emphasizes the need for high evidentiary standards in capital cases.
Why it matters
The discussion addresses the intersection of religious interpretation, human rights, and judicial reform in a conservative Islamic state.
RFI: You are a barrister and the executive director of Justice Project Pakistan . How do you reconcile your work on the abolition of the death penalty while operating in Pakistan, an Islamic state?
Sarah Belal : I don't find the two to be contrary [to each other]. Islam does not promote the death penalty, and it is not banned under international law. It says the death penalty can only be prescribed for the most serious crimes.
Actually, under Islam the Quran only prescribes the death penalty for two offences, which broadly match the international human rights standard – intentional killing and Fasad-Fil-Arz , which covers various violent crimes including crimes against humanity. So, they're not at odds with each other at all. You'll see that international human rights law standards match with the Quranic ones.
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