Today I listened to Willie Jackson, to his show “Pākīwaha”. QC Peter Williams was interviewed by Willie Jackson about his thoughts on the increase of Māori crime. Willie referred to the rape that happened last week committed against a girl 5 years old, comitted by a Māori youth and they began to talk about the narrow view of the majority against those who commit crime. According to Peter Williams, the country (New Zealand) has a tendency to brutalize people who commit crime, he says that the country needs to look for effective solutions to assit rehabilitate these type of people (more than just corporal punishment and killing people). Peter spoke about the large number of the public who strongly have condemned the youth also calling for the ability of the court to sentence people to death to be restored and his opposition to that call.
The interesting part for me was when Willie asked Peter “Would you be just as able to forgive if it was your own daughter or grandchild who was raped?”. He dodged Willie’s question and he continued to talk about all the ills affecting New Zealand society (such as poverty, child starvation etc etc). Despite his dodging of the question he still mentioned issues that beset New Zealand currently. But, he still said “it is inappropriate for victims of crime to act as judges as well” hence, in his view, Willie’s question was inappropriate. A judge needs to be able to judge in objectivity.
Anyway my friends, what are some national issues or national or national points of discussion that are important to you today? Also, if your own child was raped, would you be able to forgive the wrong of the person who committed the act?
