Ameneh Bahrami

An Iranian man was convicted of throwing acid in the face of a female student, Ameneh Bahrami. She was blinded and the convicted man, Majid Movahedi, was to be blinded in retribution. However, Ameneh pardoned the attacker just at the last minute and Majid was let off the hook. If I were Ameneh, I would not have let my attacker go just like that. I would want retribution as he had ruined my life by making me blind and disfigured. For that, I would have insisted on eye-for-an-eye justice. The attacker ruined my life and I want to warn all criminals by showing them that no one can escape from the long arms of justice. However, it may be right to show mercy to the attacker as I would have no gains from blinding him.

Firstly, the attacker ruined my life and my future. After being splashed with acid, my face was deformed and I was blinded. My future career would definitely be affected as who would want to hire a blind person? Being blinded would also cause a lot of inconvenience for me and the people around me. My parents and relatives have to help me out a lot and these may pose troublesome to them. They would have to help me to do simple things such as pouring water and helping me to a chair. Thus, I would not let my attacker off the hook as he had ruined my life and my future.

Secondly, from this, I would want to warn all criminals by showing them that no one can escape from justice. For instance, the attacker who splashed acid on my face must be prosecuted and face justice. This would tell all criminals that they cannot escape justice if they committed a crime and would face the punishment. Hence, by not showing him mercy, it can act as a reminder to all that all actions have consequences.

However, I should also consider showing him mercy. If he was to be blinded for an eye-for-an-eye justice, that would not in the least be beneficial to me. I would gain nothing if he were to be blinded. Hence, I should show him mercy. After suffering for 7 years in darkness, I have experienced the pain and suffering and I would not want anyone to go through these pain as well. So, instead of prosecuting that person, I should show him mercy and spare him from the pain and suffering.

In conclusion, the reasons why I shouldn't show him mercy far outweigh why I should show him mercy. Thus, if I were Ameneh Bahrami, I would not have chose to forgive my attacker.

Reflections:

I feel that it was cruel and inhuman that Majid Movahedi threw acid on Ameneh's face just because she repeatedly spurned his offer of marriage. Even though I can understand that he was angry and upset, he should have controlled his anger and thought of the consequences before acting. He had just ruined a perfect life just because he did not get what he wanted.

However, I feel that Ameneh Bahrami is indeed an "angel". Even after someone threw a bucket of acid on her face, she could still forgive him and give him another chance. She is very righteous and did not want eye-for-an-eye justice. She did not put her personal thoughts and feelings in between her judgement whether or not to spare him.