letters@thedailystar.net

Killing rape victims unlawfully is not justice

To read reports of rape suspects getting killed by perceived "vigilantes" or in "shootouts" with law enforcing agencies is equally disturbing to reading reports of rapes. We need to stop celebrating the murder of rape suspects, or any suspected criminal for that matter. Without due process, it's difficult to determine who committed a crime.

Some might think such killings are dispensing justice by circumventing the lingering legal process, but not giving the accused a fair chance to defend themselves is not justice.

Not only do such tactics undermine the rule of law and signal the lawlessness in the country, but often also results in the miscarriage of justice. And, no matter how well-intentioned these extra-judicial killings might seem from first glance, as previous incidents across the world and in our own country suggest, some may very well use the public angst about rapists or criminals to settle personal or political scores.

Therefore, we must not entertain the idea of unlawfully dispensing justice. Instead, we should call on the authorities to strengthen our rule of law and legal system and close the legal loopholes so that rape victims get proper justice.

Naeem Hasnat, Chittagong