Background

20 months ago, in the mistaken belief that there was an intruder in his home and fearful for their lives, a young South African took the life of the woman he loved and changed his own forever. This wasn’t just any young man, this was Oscar Pistorius; disabled athlete, Paralympian, Olympian. This was a man known for inspiring people worldwide, able bodied and disabled alike. A young man, known for his warm gentle nature, his humility, and humanitarian works freely given. 

 

Last month, the presiding judge, Thokozile Masipa, acquitted Oscar Pistorius of murder but convicted him of culpable homicide, the South African equivalent of manslaughter. Giving a verdict, that recognised there was no evidence that he intended to kill Reeva Steenkamp, Judge Masipa also acknowledged his extreme remorse and grief.

 

Last Friday, the prosecution and defence teams wrapped up their arguments over what would be appropriate punishment in the interests of retribution, rehabilitation and society. Defence lawyer, Barry Roux, argued that Oscar Pistorius’ actions were dominated by anxiety and vulnerability and not consciously unlawful. Asserting that Oscar is a broken man who has suffered enough, he argued for a sentence engendered by compassion and humanity. In opposition, State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel, arguing for a substantial custodial sentence, told the high court that “the minimum term that society will be happy with will be 10 years”.

 

Gerrie Nel’s argument assumes that society is driven by a desire for retribution that borders on revenge; a society that believes that having ‘broken a family’ the only acceptable retribution is to break a vulnerable and traumatised young man by subjecting him to harsh and dangerous prison conditions, despite being acquitted of murder and being forever condemned to live with the devastating consequences of his actions. This Gerrie Nel argues; is in society’s interests and will make society happy.

 

Please sign this statement and show the world that the only acceptable society is one driven by compassion and humanity, not retribution and hatred:

 

Statement:

 

Oscar Pistorius has been acquitted of murder. He is a broken young man who has been publicly denigrated and humiliated worldwide. He has lost everything, especially the woman he loved, and is condemned to live forever with the consequences of his actions. He has suffered enough.

 

We reject the concept of a society driven by retribution and hatred and devoid of human kindness. We maintain that it is in the interests of society, that in sentencing, Oscar Pistorius is treated with compassion and humanity. Let us stand together, and define 'society' as a community that demands and values compassion and humanity above all.