Do you think?

[temujin77]

Originally Posted by jdbeatty

Where's the discussion?

I believe the point of the discussion is not merely on who gets to decide who's a criminal or not. The point of the discussion is that it's been 60 years since the end of the war, should we continue to hunt down the war criminal and bring them to justice.

[gary g stevens]

the death penalty would not serve any useful purpose. Right now in my in my country ex ku klux klans man are being brought to justice. the murders are from the civil rights era. If convicted they will spend the rest of their lives in prison. War crimes should be handled the same way. Its to long after the fact. the trials should be for posterity .

[Tom Houlihan]

It's been a while since I've read this thread, but I want to throw a monkey wrench into the mix here.

Were the crimes these men are accused and/or convicted of formally recognized as crimes when the acts were committed? If yes, then bringing them to justice is justified.

But, if not, then they are being tried ex post facto, which is morally wrong.

[WilcoVermeer]

I am afraid I am going to throw matters back to square one again

Is it justified?
Not with the question asked. The reasoning for the Justification was just being a Nazi during World War Two. Just being a Nazi is in my thinking not a justification for imprisonement. Only is they committed crimes against humanity or against international laws, according to the laws that were being handled at that time, I think imprisonment is justified. National Socialism on its self is just a political meaning. Not one I should agree with, but not more than that. But committing crimes out of any political belief is the only justification for imprisonment on it self. Not only for Nazi's, but for any political means.

Is it neccesary?
That is another question. What is the meaning of imprisonment, just punishment or setting an example. Is imprisoning someone in the last days of his or hers life still justified as punishment? Is it setting an example. Is it not the fact that governments did not catch them sooner more the crime that has been committed? Isn't the use of Nazi's after the war by many Allied country's more a crime. Should we today punish people that are old, for the failure of political and justice systems after World War Two?

Should they be put in prison?
I would rather see those political and military leaders that commit the same crimes today in prison then these old people. Just beceause looking at wars and warcrimes today, people still haven't learned.

Should a Death sentence be carried out?
I don't believe in death sentence. It does not solve the problem the people are sentenced for. To me this is something like the Ostrich. Putting your head in the sand and saying there is no problem. Look at the country's where there are death sentences. Does it solve the rate of crime there? No, not at all.