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Momodou
Denmark
11737 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Oct 2010 : 15:44:04
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Foroyaa Editorial: Debate at Foroyaa after Bail is Denied to two Women Activists and Babylon Case Withdrawal
By Publisher
on 13-10-10
When some of the Foroyaa employees came from the Court involving Dr Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang one of them said that in chatting with one of the Lawyers she told him a strange thing. We asked him what the strange comment was. He said the Lawyer said that Mile 2 is now part of the CV of many Gambian professionals and she is expecting her own turn. We do not know whether the Lawyer was making a joke or was stating a fact as she saw it. This reminded us of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s acknowledgement of arrests, detentions and incarcerations throughout her life before she became the President of Liberia. May be the lawyer is right. For some people, going to mile two is a CV. However for most people it is a CV they would rather not acquire if it could be prevented. Notwithstanding the statement gives consolation to those who could earn millions of dalasis by accepting international appointments but prefer to render service to their own people even if it means sinking to the level of the wretched of the earth. Hope must be kept alive.
As we engage in a debate on what constitutes right to presumption of innocence if bail is not made a right that would only be denied if the person is unable to meet the reasonable and justifiable bail condition that is designed to guarantee his or her appearance to face justice, we also came to learn that the Babylon case is withdrawn in the spirit of promoting face restorative justice. These words from the solicitor general and legal secretary gave us a new emotion different from the one engendered by the denial of bail.
The withdrawal of the Babylon case done by the solicitor general and legal secretary at the Attorney General’s Chambers by Mr. Pa Harry Jammeh marked a pioneering face in the promotion of substantive justice.
Reading out the withdrawal statement in the court, Mr. Jammeh started by saying that law is a dynamic force for maintaining social order and preventing chaos in society, therefore he said a society without laws breeds’ violence. “It becomes a society charaterised by chaos and anarchy. He said banditry breeds disaster.
Mr. Harry noted that the Gambia is known as a peaceful and stable country where people co-exist peacefully. He said the government is determined to ensure that peaceful co-existence is not compromised. He therefore told the court that regardless of the gravity of the offence people must learn to follow due process and not to take the law into their own hands.
Mr. Harry Jammeh told the court that on the issue before the court, they are reminded to say that the ends of justice would better be served if both sides are reconciled and made to leave in peace. He further said they are adopting a restorative Justice approach in this matter in order to ensure peaceful co-existence of the members of the community. He added that the root causes of the case would be investigated and appropriate action taken to prevent a reoccurrence.
This withdrawal made our day. We hope the Counsels for the two women would proceed to the High Court to appeal against the denial of bail. This is the time for FLAG to shine. Restorative justice and not punitive justice is the way forward for the 21 century.
Source: Foroyaa
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