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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Nov 2006 : 12:51:20
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Foroyaa Editorial:
A NEW CHANCE FOR PRESIDENT JAMMEH
To lead a nation for 12 years and get re-elected for another five years provides an opportunity to any thoughtful leader to sit down and reflect on how to improve on one's record of governance so as to promote liberty and prosperity in a country. A leader who intends to give a fresh start to his/her method of running the affairs of a country would read the newspapers everyday to identify the points of major concern. He/she must be a good listener of the complaints of the people. There is no doubt that liberty is of major concern. In short, the Central Prison at Mile 2 is a maximum security prison. How can such a place be transformed into a detention centre for people who have not been tried by the courts. This is one practice that should have been put to a stop immediately after the president's election. Foroyaa strongly recommends that the President orders an enquiry on regarding the state of detainees in all prisons and order the release of all those who have been detained for more than 72 hours without trial. The Chief Justice should also make an enquiry concerning those who have been detained without speedy prosecution of their cases. He should order the speedy trial of such cases.
Section 82 of the constitution establishes a committee on the exercise of prerogative of mercy. This committee should be constituted with immediacy so that all those who have been in prison for over 12 years and those who have served the better part of their sentences can be released to reduce prison congestion?
Furthermore, people should stop giving appreciation for any form of impunity. Even if one has an axe to grind with someone no one should appreciate his/her arrest and detention for more than 72 hours. The President should order such practices to stop with immediacy. If the President wants credibility, he should meet with religious leaders, heads of all services in the country, heads of NGOs, heads of political parties, editors of newspapers and other groups to spread a message of good governance and tolerance. He should ask for their criticisms on how to improve on governance and take their recommendations seriously. Rambo or Councillor Ousman Jatta is still in detention. He is a representative of the people. If such a person is not immune to such harsh treatment what about the people he represents. There should be decency in political conduct. One of the norms of political decency is to give respect to those elected by the people like members of parliament, mayors and councilors. Should we look forward to a new start as the expiry of the President's term of office draw near? The future will tell!!! History will be the Judge posterity will reveal the verdict.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 97/2006, 8-9 November, 2006
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