There are seldom moments in history that send chills down one’s spine. Unfortunately, the devastation that ensued when Anders Behring Breivik went on a killing rampage, which resulted in 77 deaths last summer, was one of those horrifying moments.
The Norwegian people were at a loss for words when a solitary man set off a bomb in Oslo, which killed eight people, and consequently shot 69 members of a summer camp run by the Labour Party on Utoya Island. This atrocity was condemned as a heinous act of terrorism, one that jolted not only the Norwegian people, but also the global community to attention.
According to an article published by CNN on Tuesday, the 33-year-old Norwegian male expressed no remorse for his terrible actions. He is being tried in a newly designed court that will not have a jury present. The trial is estimated to take 10 weeks. At this point, whether or not Breivik was insane at the time of his crime has yet to be determined. Should he be certified as sane, he could walk free in two decades.
The Norwegian authorities have taken into consideration that this man is entitled to a trial and potential rehabilitation. However, it becomes increasingly difficult for the global public to come to terms with the possibility of Breivik being able to integrate back into society one day. One would assume that a cold-blooded killer who cannot comprehend the repercussions of his actions would warrant the country of Norway condoning the death penalty.
Nevertheless, there rises the argument that killing this man would be futile in easing the situation. Solely putting this man to death will not resurrect all the victims of his despicable actions. It remains to be seen whether Breivik will be treated as a prisoner or a patient. For many grieving families, friends and survivors of the attack, this will serve as a painful reminder of the emotional trauma that ensued.
Perhaps a year on from the travesty, the subsequent trial and prosecution will be able to offer the humble beginnings of comfort for those in mourning. The nation prides itself on liberal values and seeks to maintain a level of respect for human rights, even in the face of a man who held no regard for others.
Hopefully, those whose lives were torn apart will find some peace when a verdict is reached.
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One way forensic counsellors can try to reinvigorate a political psychopath’s soul is to pay them well to read, “Every Man Dies Alone” by Hans Fallada. Instruct them to identify each character as they appear in the novel and detail their eventual fate. They might also benefit from viewing “What is the Meaning of Life” on YouTube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjIAQQUTCNQI