THE bearded and ruffled figure of Saddam Hussein shown on television after his capture is a far cry from the defiant dictator many had come to know from pictures during his days of power.
Nevertheless, his arrest will mean many Iraqis will be able to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
At the same time it will mean that Saddam will be able to face the consequences for the crimes he committed against his people.
Even before he has gone to trial, in some people’s eyes capital punishment is the only sentence suitable for the former dictator. However, execution can never be compensation for the many lives that may have been taken by Saddam personally or under his orders.
No matter what the crime, each person is God’s creation, and real justice cannot deny the respect for human life which we are called to have by the One who made us.
