Dear Editor,
Much has been made of the Government's commitment to the rule of law in its relations with the international community. While our commitment to the international community is admirable, it is disingenuous to parade ourselves as obeying international laws when we ignore our own laws at home.
Every day there are new instances of the chipping away of the fabric of our civil society. The dwindling of a society of law and social order takes place as much within the halls of government as it does on the streets. When government sanctions, allows or partakes in law-breaking, it delegitimises the very constitution its members swore to uphold.
It contributes to an unfortunate trend of backwardness and social decline and takes away their moral authority to police the very laws they swore to uphold. The members of society who wear the uniform of government represent the government and are paid and charged to act on our behalf.
That prisoners smoke ganja in the cells downstairs the Supreme Court building drew sharp criticism from a senior judge recently. This was happening right under the judges' noses! With much audacity, the smokers inhaled and puffed.
Where are the supervising officers in the Supreme Court? This should never have happened, but worse, it befuddles my mind that it happens all the time.
The Supreme Court building is also an enclosed place. Ganja is an illegal substance, and it is repeatedly allowed to be passed to prisoners. I am making the assumption that the prisoners were the ones getting their high on. If I am right, then officials are either lax in their duties or turning a blind eye.
But this is also contempt of the court, as sending fumes up the judges' noses disrespects and opposes the dignity of the court.
The international community, to which we pledged commitment to the rule of law, will not ignore our blatant disregard for our very own domestic rule of law. We cannot be serious about finding overseas partners for economic growth and development when we shamelessly allow our laws to be broken inside one of the highest halls of government and justice.
Sandra M Taylor Wiggan
sandra_wiggan@yahoo.co.uk
Puffing weed up judges' noses beyond contempt of court
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Much has been made of the Government's commitment to the rule of law in its relations with the international community. While our commitment to the international community is admirable, it is disingenuous to parade ourselves as obeying international laws when we ignore our own laws at home.
Every day there are new instances of the chipping away of the fabric of our civil society. The dwindling of a society of law and social order takes place as much within the halls of government as it does on the streets. When government sanctions, allows or partakes in law-breaking, it delegitimises the very constitution its members swore to uphold.
It contributes to an unfortunate trend of backwardness and social decline and takes away their moral authority to police the very laws they swore to uphold. The members of society who wear the uniform of government represent the government and are paid and charged to act on our behalf.
That prisoners smoke ganja in the cells downstairs the Supreme Court building drew sharp criticism from a senior judge recently. This was happening right under the judges' noses! With much audacity, the smokers inhaled and puffed.
Where are the supervising officers in the Supreme Court? This should never have happened, but worse, it befuddles my mind that it happens all the time.
The Supreme Court building is also an enclosed place. Ganja is an illegal substance, and it is repeatedly allowed to be passed to prisoners. I am making the assumption that the prisoners were the ones getting their high on. If I am right, then officials are either lax in their duties or turning a blind eye.
But this is also contempt of the court, as sending fumes up the judges' noses disrespects and opposes the dignity of the court.
The international community, to which we pledged commitment to the rule of law, will not ignore our blatant disregard for our very own domestic rule of law. We cannot be serious about finding overseas partners for economic growth and development when we shamelessly allow our laws to be broken inside one of the highest halls of government and justice.
Sandra M Taylor Wiggan
sandra_wiggan@yahoo.co.uk
Puffing weed up judges' noses beyond contempt of court
-->