Are the Islamic punishments severe?

It makes me very surprised when i hear such kind of questions and objections about Islam, from Non-Muslims which don't make sense. For example; the matter of Islamic punishements, Hijab and Jihad are some hot issues which are presented as a sign of barbarism and extremism. While i think, every religion and even every state has the right to enforce its laws for the welfare of its citizens. Then why Islamic punishments and some other matters are considered to be against human rights? why the world have double standards?

As far as Islamic laws about punishments are concerned, we can say that there is great care in these laws for all human beings. Decision to punish someone due to commiting a crime should be made very carefully. Two, and in some cases, four witnesses are required to enable the judge to punish someone in the particular crime. Otherwise, he/she will not be punished. only light punishements will be enforced. This is a light side of Islamic Jurisprudence which makes it possible to avoid wrong decisions, so that innocent people would not be punished due to merely suspecision. Another point that should be noted is that Islam not only wants to punish the guilty but also wants to make the punishment an example for the society, so that people will think 100 times before commiting a crime. And the society will be safer and safer everyday.
On the other side, the human rights associations should also look at the current scenorio, where innocent people are killed with CARPET BOMBING. It is also unlawful to kill or imprison someone without a proper trial. How can a man justify it?
I think the Islamic laws are not severe than CARPET BOMBING.