FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
21 April 2008
editorial
Because of widespread poverty and because many people have experienced theft of one form or another, it is often easy or tempting for one to rush to a scene where a purported thief is being beaten, to add some kicks and punches.
This is not only unlawful, it is dangerous, because it can lead to the death or severe injury of the purported thief. It becomes all the more serious where the individual is innocent.
This is why the constitution makes it clear that every person is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty or has pleaded guilty.
The constitution also protects the right to life of every person in The Gambia. No one has any right to take the life of another. And this is what excessive beatings can lead to. Death .
Whenever mob justice is applied, emotions are high and the people beating the suspect at that particular moment have no iota of empathy in them, as they venge their anger on the suspect with spite.
People within a community can facilitate the work of the police but they cannot play the role of administering justice by passing judgment and punishing the suspect. Every incident of this nature has to be dealt with according to law which sets standards.
Communities can organize themselves to protect themselves and capture thieves who must then be handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.
It does not suffice to say that the police and the thieves are hand in glove. Matters have to be pursued and exposed in the newspapers, if necessary, where there is miscarriage of justice. Such effort is more worth the while than taking the life of another, who may well be innocent of the purported crime. It may also save you from arrest and prosecution for assault, wounding or murder.
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