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Momodou
Denmark
11735 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Dec 2015 : 20:20:33
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HOUSE PASSES BILL TO CRIMINALIZE BABY ABANDONMENT Penalty 10 yrs Jail Term
By Kebba Jeffang
Foroyaa> December 30, 2015
The National Assembly on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 passed a Bill to amend the Criminal Code and create the offence of ‘baby New National Assembly Buildingdumping’. The penalty for committing the offence is ten year imprisonment with hard labour.
Tabling the bill before the deputies, Mama Fatima Singhateh, Attorney General and Minister of Justice said the bill seeks to amend the Criminal Code by making provision for the offence of ‘baby dumping’.
She said “the bill seeks to discourage this phenomenon in our society by criminalising baby dumping and child destruction. It also provides a severe penalty for contravening the laws. It is envisaged that this law will serve as a deterrent to prospective offenders,” she said.
She informed that this provision will be inserted immediately after section 197 of the Principal Act as a new section 197A that prohibits baby dumping.
According to the said section “A person who willfully and with the intention of disposing of a child within twenty four months of that child’s birth; by either discarding, throwing or otherwise abandon the child in a public or private place commits a felony, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to ten years with hard labour, with or without the option of a fine.”
Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, majority leader and member for Serekunda East in seconding the motion said the bill is not controversial because all it seeks to do is to criminalise baby dumping and urged his fellow deputies to pass the bill into law.
Hon. Baboucarr S. Fadera, member for Kiang Central said life is so precious and that all lives are important. He said the reported cases of baby dumping are on the increase and without any punishment for it; there will be no deterrent of the act.
Meanwhile, without facing any opposition, the bill was passed by the parliament to become law in the country.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jan 2016 : 18:21:10
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Interesting! I have no problem with this law. I believe it is well intentioned but lacks substantial supporting environment to make it work, and therefore it contributes to the further marginalization of Gambian women. Let me explain!
"Baby dumping" as a criminal act punishable by "10 years imprisonment ..." is not automatically a deterrent for many obvious reasons. However, for the law to work, the supporting legal and social environment must be created, such as:
1. Holding men responsible for the children they fathered (paying for child support)with criminal penalties for failing to do so.
2. Free or reduce access to reproductive health services including abortion and paternity test
3. Possibility of turning over unwanted babies to government or adoption services (hospitals) anonymously.
I believe, these and some other educational and assistance services in combination with the legal measures will be a better way to address the issue. |
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HOUSE PASSES BILL TO CRIMINALIZE BABY ABANDONMENT
