Editorial

The conviction of the murderers of a British national and assailants of the Coco Ocean boss by the courts this week is a welcome news for all lovers of a crime- free state.

The sentence handed down to the convicts is indeed a manifestation of justice at work and we hope it serves as a deterrent to other undesirable elements in our midst. The verdicts of the courts show that the country's judiciary is not relenting in administering justice for the benefit of society.

Crimes of all nature and scope, ranging from common assault to murder cannot be tolerated in this country. Our society is governed by our cultural and religious norms and values. These norms and values strongly forbid acts of crime and criminality.

The dispensation of justice requires that someone guilty of an offence cannot be allowed to go scot-free, else we will be setting a scandalous precedence which posterity would condemn us for condoning.

The courts exist purposely to enforce the laws of the land. Condoning wrongs committed against the law could to a great extent have serious impact on the overall development objectives of a civilised society like The Gambia. We cannot allow a few unscrupulous people to circumvent our collective efforts.

We therefore hope that the convictions would make people understand that in every human society, there exists a principle by which the people should operate, conducting themselves inline with some specific moral norms and values, and that the role of the state in administering justice among people who manage their own affairs will not be compromised.

Suffice it to say, every individual has some form of freedom, but that freedom must not encroach upon the freedom of others. One's right to survival must not encroach upon another person's right to security or life.

We once again thank the courts for the efficient justice delivery.