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Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Feb 2007 : 19:24:43
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Foroyaa Editorial
When Will the Hand of Mercy Be Laid on Them?
According to Section 82 subsection (2) of the constitution, "There shall be a Committee on the exercise of the prerogative of mercy consisting of the Attorney General and three other persons appointed by the President subject to confirmation by the National Assembly."
The role of the Committee is to advise the President on who should be granted amnesty. Hence subsection (1) of the same section states: "The President may, after consulting the Committee established by subsection (2) -
(a) grant to any person convicted of any offence, a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions;
(b) grant to any person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for any offence;
(c) substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on any person for any offence;
(d) remit the whole or any part of any punishment imposed on any person for such an offence or any penalty otherwise due to the State on account of any offence."
When South Africa emerged from the ruins of the Apartheid era, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission stepped in to ease the tension between the races. Even in Rwanda, a country torn apart by a bitter fratricidal war, the President can afford to grant amnesty to a large number of inmates a few days ago. Why can't convicts in The Gambia be granted amnesty on occasions like Independence day or Republican day celebrations?
Why can't detainee's who are not yet charged not be released from months or years of detention?
An amnesty will augur well for the spirit in which the speech for the independence celebration was delivered; when it was stated that ...."we must avoid conflict, discord and unite by all means."
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 021/2007, 21-22 February, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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