T3 Blog Prompt #15

Ameneh Bahrami, an Iranian woman who was blinded and disfigured when acid was thrown in her face seven years ago, decided to pardon her attacker just before his sentence which was court-ordered blinding to be carried out. If I was Ameneh Bahrami, I would not shown mercy to my attacker but insist on eye-for-an-eye justice. It is because he did not show me any mercy, causing me to be blind and disfigured and also by letting him get the punishment he deserve, it would show to the rest of the people that they are responsible for what they do and hence should not do anything without considering of the consequences. However, mercy should be shown as the punishment is quite cruel and it does not benefit me in any way.

Firstly, he did not show me any mercy but threw acid in my face, causing me to be blind and disfigured. He poured a bucket of sulfuric acid over my head. Although he was angry that I repeatedly spurned his offer of marriage, I feel that he should not do such things. He definitely knew the consequences of pouring acid over my head yet he does that without showing me any mercy. Hence, I feel that he does not deserve to be shown any mercy as he does not show mercy to me.

Secondly, by letting him get the punishment he deserves, it would show to the rest of the people that they are responsible for what they do and hence should not do anything without considering of the consequences. The Iran acid attacker would get the eye for an eye style justice for blinding and disfiguring me, which is having his both eye blind. This would serve as a warning for others as they would know that they would have to pay for what they do and hence they would not do anything silly but consider of the consequences first. Hence, by not showing him mercy and letting him get the punishment he deserves, it would discourage other people from doing rash acts.

However, I should show him mercy as the punishment is quite cruel and it does not benefit me in any way. What is done cannot be undone and I am already blinded and disfigured. By making him blind would not benefit me in anyway and I cannot be not blind or not disfigured. Since I am already blinded and disfigured, I feel that it is a virtue to forgive and forget and show him mercy by forgoing my rights of making him be sentenced with eye for an eye style justice. Also, the punishment is quite cruel and by making him blind, I would be no difference from him. Amnesty International had previously called for a stay of the sentence, which it described as "a cruel and inhuman punishment amounting to torture." This shows that many felt that such punishment is very cruel and is like the same as torture. Hence, I should show him mercy as the punishment is quite cruel and it does not benefit me in any way.

In conclusion, I would not show the attacker any mercy but insist on eye-for-an-eye justice. It is because he does not deserve to be shown mercy as he did not show me any mercy and also by letting him get the punishment he deserves, it can serve as a warning for others so that they would not do anything rashly.


Reflections:

I feel that what he had done was unforgivable. He had went too far by pouring a bucket of acid over her head. Even if he was very agitated at that point of time, he should at least consider the consequences of his actions. He had caused her to be blinded and disfigured and had ruined her whole future! Definitely mercy is of more importance than justice but I feel that sometimes, justice should be done instead of showing mercy. What would happen to the world if everyone shows mercy instead of justice? Many people would not care for others and do things without considering for others feelings since they would not be punished for what they had done wrong. I feel that people should face the punishment for their wrongdoings so that next time, they would not dare to do such things again. However, it is true that mercy should be shown too. I feel that if someone commits a crime and was sentenced to death, he should instead be shown mercy and given a chance to compensate for his wrongdoings as it would definitely bring more benefits than ending his life. Hence, I feel that mercy and justice are both very important and should be shown on case by case basis.