By Ragan M. Conteh
Members of Parliament, from both sides of the aisle, have raised serious concern about the abolition of the death penalty from our law books without putting safeguards that will prevent impunity and high risk of reckless killings in the future.
The bill sought to abolish the death penalty in the case of persons convicted in Sierra Leone for murder under the Offences Act of 1861, robbery with aggravation under the Larceny Act of 1916, mutiny under the Sierra Leone Armed Forces Act of 1961, treason and other related offences under the Treason and State Offences Act of 1963, respectively. According to them, there should have been alternative provisions for the punishment of persons so convicted and to provide for other related matters.
In his submission, the Leader of the Opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party, Hon. Chernoh Maju Bah, thanked the minister and government for taking a bill before the House of Parliament that has to do with the death penalty abolition in the country.
According to Chernoh Maju Bah, the sanctity of life is something that people should not mortgage by judicial or extrajudicial killings, adding that, if the bill should stand the test of time, all forms of killings must be put to an end.
He said the amendments are relevant, which also require the engagement of security forces that use disproportionate forces against civilians.
Hon Bah pointed out that Members of Parliament should be honest enough to ensure that this bill was scrutinized with no iota of doubt.
“Remember there is going to be tomorrow, either you like it or not,” Hon Bah stated.
According to the Leader, the APC will not support impunity and recklessness as well as breach procedures when passing a bill of this nature.
In his submission, the Member of Parliament from Lungi, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, stated that the bill speaks volumes, and so the lives of the people should not be taken arbitrarily if police brutality and unnecessary killings are to be ended.
He informed that it is heinous when someone kills a person without conviction, adding that this should be the end of the use of police rounds.
Hon Kargbo cited the killings at Pademba Road Prison, Makeni, Tombo and Lunsar, referring to them as extra judicial killings.
He said when the bill is enacted it would supersede all other killings.
The Member of Parliament from Kailahun District, Hon Hindolo Ngevao, said the debate on the repeal of the death penalty is another bold step taken by the Government.
According to Hon Ngevao, politicians of yesterday used the death penalty in their favour. He however thanked late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah for placing a moratorium on the death penalty 14 years ago.
He said several other countries have abandoned the death penalty from their law books, adding that many have been killed in Sierra Leone for offences that they have not been convicted.
The Member of Parliament, representing Constituency 059, Hon Abdul Karim Kamara, said Members of Parliament should work with their conscience when enacting laws.
He revealed that the repeal of the death penalty is very timely, but called on the entire House to ensure that safeguards are put to prevent politicians or other people from using the repeal as yardstick to unleash mayhem on opponents.
He pointed out that some individuals will now have a field day in killing their opponents, because the death penalty has been abolished. Invariably they would now be relying on Presidential pardoning.
Because of such, Hon AKK said safeguards must be outlined clearly to ensure that people will not use the advantage to kill others.
The Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, informed the House of Parliament that 145 counties have abolished the death penalty both on paper and in practice, adding that Sierra Leone is not an exception.
“The death penalty is cruel to humanity,” Hon Silikie said.
The female Member of Parliament from Kailahun, Hon Loloh Tongay, revealed that the death penalty, in our law books, is the worst ever for mankind.
She urged Members of Parliament and all other actors to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment, adding that a lot of victims have been killed.
The Leader of Government Business, Hon Matthew Sahr Nyuma, said the bill is very important for members of the House to examine it and find a level playing field.
He said some of these laws were used by some people, especially politicians, to quiet opponents, adding that the bill will also ensure protection of right to life.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Attorney Y. Brewa, said the bill seeks to end killings and assured that the House will discuss the abolition of the death penalty.