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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Feb 2007 : 19:12:22
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Foroyaa Editorial
What Does The Government Really Want?
Last week a number of disabled persons were arrested and taken to police stations in the Greater Banjul Area. Those that we have spoken to have informed us that though they were released on bail they have been reporting at the respective police stations on a daily basis. They added that those identified as Senegalese have been deported.
They said that some have real difficulty moving with their wheel chair all the way to Kairaba Police Station.
Our information is that some of them have been transferred from Kairaba to Bundung Police Station for possible prosecution. This is ridiculous! When they report on Monday they will know their status.
According to our source, they were advised to keep away from traffic lights and supermarkets to avoid prosecution.
What will they charge them with? Certainly not for begging in the street because of their poverty; or are they thinking of charging under the Criminal Code for being rogues and vagabonds; or for being idle and disorderly? These are colonial laws which the police can use to prosecute anyone they want.
What the disables need is bread and butter, not a whip.
Mrs. Neneh Macdouall Gaye opened an internet café for the blind not too long ago. What an honour would it be for the government to provide the disabled with skills and engage them in productive ventures so that they can have means of survival by relying on their sweat rather than on begging.
Indeed section 31 subsections (1) and (2) of the Constitution make it abundantly clear that “The right of the disabled and handicapped to respect and human dignity shall be recognised by the State and society.” (2) “Disabled persons shall be entitled to protection and against exploitation and to protection against discrimination, in particular, as regards access to health services, education and employment.”
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 022/2007, 23-25 February, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2007 : 20:34:48
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I am pleased that the reporters of the Foroyaa Newspaper were able to contact their source and establish the current situation well done to them,BUT the present situation is not good ,judging by the above piece,With one hand a disabled team is helped to represent the counrty on tour abroad ,on the other hand other disabled people who perhaps are not so well connected are arrested for begging.In a previous posting I mentioned that Muslims are obliged to give alms to the poor.If you are begging then you must be poor.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2007 : 20:34:48
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I am pleased that the reporters of the Foroyaa Newspaper were able to contact their source and establish the current situation well done to them,BUT the present situation is not good ,judging by the above piece,With one hand a disabled team is helped to represent the counrty on tour abroad ,on the other hand other disabled people who perhaps are not so well connected are arrested for begging.In a previous posting I mentioned that Muslims are obliged to give alms to the poor.If you are begging then you must be poor.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2007 : 21:07:36
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Haven't the police got anything better to do than to harrass people in wheelchairs? It is ridiculus to make them report to the police station everyday. Why don't the police find some other way of checking up on them. I do presume the police have cars and know where these people live. Then it would be better for them to visit them at their homes until they decide to press charges.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2007 : 21:07:36
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Haven't the police got anything better to do than to harrass people in wheelchairs? It is ridiculus to make them report to the police station everyday. Why don't the police find some other way of checking up on them. I do presume the police have cars and know where these people live. Then it would be better for them to visit them at their homes until they decide to press charges.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2007 : 22:32:44
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| I have never observed these people to be a threat or a nuisance, they merely ask for alms, and its easy to keep a few coins in your pocket to give if you wish. Maybe the Government is embaressed by the presence of these individuals, if so, maybe they should do something constructive about it, instead of harassing them. |
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toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2007 : 22:32:44
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| I have never observed these people to be a threat or a nuisance, they merely ask for alms, and its easy to keep a few coins in your pocket to give if you wish. Maybe the Government is embaressed by the presence of these individuals, if so, maybe they should do something constructive about it, instead of harassing them. |
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