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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Sep 2012 : 09:16:16
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RELATED BANTABA TOPIC;
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2012 : 00:27:42
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Majority leader angry over opposition reactions to executions
Source: The Point News
“Gambians never appealed to amend Death Penalty” - Majority Leader
APPEAL TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO CALL FOR A REFERENDUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY
" The National Assembly is in session. It ends with an adjournment debate. The burning issue of the day is the death penalty.
One thing that has become abundantly clear is that section 18 subsection (3) has made it mandatory for the National Assembly to have reviewed the desirability of abolishing the death penalty within ten years after the coming into force of the Constitution. The section reads:
"The National Assembly shall within ten years from the date of the coming into force of this Constitution review the desirability or otherwise of the total abolition of the death penalty in The Gambia."
The Constitution came into force in 1997. By 2007 the review should have taken place. It did not take place. Now the time has elapsed. What is to be done?
There should be a moratorium on the death penalty. Section 18 subsection (3) needs to be amended to breathe new life to it so that the review would take place. Since it is an entrenched provision it cannot be amended without a referendum. Hence to kill two birds with one stone a bill should be prepared entitled 'Death Penalty Abolition Bill' which should be subjected to a referendum to ask the people to vote 'yes' or 'no' in connection with the death penalty.
We hope the National Assembly members would reflect on the need for such a referendum."
Source: Foroyaa Burning Issues News |
Edited by - kobo on 27 Sep 2012 23:32:41 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11735 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2012 : 13:47:49
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VOCAL AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
Foroyaa Editorial: Published on Tuesday, 02 October 2012
Death penalty requires the existence of a killer state. Murder requires the existence of a killer in person.
The Death penalty could be wiped out either through the imposition of a moratorium or through the avenue of a constitutional provision. Murderers do not drop from the sky. They are made of flesh and bones. They were born as babies. They grow up as children. They develop as youth and mature as adults. The murderer does not have any unique personality that differentiates him or her from any normal human being. A discussion with a murderer would reveal that they cry and laugh like any normal human being. They have loved ones and enemies and are capable of both generosity and malicious or contemptuous behaviour.
Sociologists and Psychologists have been trying to find out why some people commit suicide and why others commit murder. The fact that a person could perpetrate self inflicted murder confirms that fear of death alone could not serve as a deterrent to the taking of life. Hence, if we are to deter murder it is necessary to begin a process of investigation into the factors that provoke people to commit murder.
This should be followed by an open National Debate on the issue. In the past, because of lack of Press coverage, murders take place without anyone taking notice. Today, most if not all murders, are reported in the Gambian press. It should not be very difficult to keep track of them and identify the causes. This should enable us to know the preventive strategies required to address the problem of murder. Some time ago, we explained to a supporter of the death penalty that we are not aware of any decent Gambian who would want to make a living by being a killer of murderers for the state and therefore argued that life imprisonment should be the severest punishment for murder. He maintained that even though he would not work as a killer of murderers for a living he is of the view that it is a waste of state money to feed murderers for a life time. We asked him why the state could not arrange for the convicts to work in prison and earn money that would be put in the savings of families they have deprived of a love one. He kept quiet and started to reflect. Freedom of expression and an open society provides avenue for debate to find solutions to complex problems. Democratic states learn from public opinion to shape public policy.
We strongly urge the Government to learn from Senegal where the electronic media, both TV and Radio, are enjoying a rebirth and are hosting the most interesting debates that that country had ever witnessed. In the Gambia, there is only one TV station which does not broadcast divergent views. Taranga FM is off the air for broadcasting critical reports from Newspapers and the public. A state which does not protect freedom of expression will promote freedom of rumours to the detriment of sound public opinion and sound policies.
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2012 : 05:49:12
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FOROYAA BURNING ISSUES;
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