THIS is apropos the article ‘Shades of fascism’ (Dec 31) which has argued that the coming Pakistani generations would find it difficult to defend chemical castration for rapists, as it is an “inhumane and degrading punishment”.

One should keep in mind that it is the victim who needs support and justice, as what is done to them is actually an ‘inhumane and degrading’ act. Before criticising the punishment for rapists and its consequences, we must think about how difficult life becomes for rape victims. Furthermore, we should remember that human rights are for the oppressed; and not for the oppressor.

Another illogical argument in the article relates to “principles of equality”. If we talk about equality, why chemical castration is considered an “inhumane punishment” when a much more painful act is done to the rape victims?

Nimra Firdous
Lahore

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2021