Sexual discrimination
Sir: Sir Frederick Lawton in his article 'Prison is not enough' (27 February) obliquely acknowledges that the restoration of corporal punishment as a judicial sen- tence would be considered inhumane under the European Convention on Human Rights. His proposal to bring back the birch would conflict not only with European law relating to inhumane punishments but also with the one relating to the equal treatment of men and women. One can hardly imag- ine that Sir Frederick is advocating the birching of women found guilty of violent robbery. To restrict corporal punishment to men would be seen by some as discrimina- tion in favour of women. Others (for exam- ple, masochistic feminists) might see it as discrimination against women.
Although flagellation is legally permitted in some European countries for purposes of sexual delectation, birching, or any other form of corporal punishment, would cer- tainly not be tolerated in any member state of the Community.
Ronald Forrest
Delfryn, Castle Morris, Pembrokeshire
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