An Article in the Namibian of 12 June 2014 states the case of a 13 year old girl having been locked up in Wanaheda police station for allegedly stealing a cell phone. This article is causing quite a stir amongst readers of the paper. You can follow it HERE.
With a knowledge of the conditions in Namibias pretrial holding facilities, see HERE, it is an absolute atrocity to lock up a minor child in such conditions for a day or even just for a few hours. The psychological damage done to such a child cannot be undone. The alleged theft of a cell phone does not warrant such a punishment to be meted out intentionally, especially not towards a child aged 13.
What does cause greater concern, however, is the fact that recommendations from the Ombudsman keep being ignored since 2006. The only recourse we as Namibians have against tyranny from the side of government, is the Ombudsman. If government does not recognize his authority, how can we the people rely on him for recourse?
Another serious concern is the fact that the Namibian Cabinet decided in 2009 already that the Ministry of Safety should budget for the construction of special facilities, but nothing has happened to date.
What becomes obvious from the online discussion following this article is the total ignorance of the general public about their human rights, what the statute says and how it is applied in reality. This ignorance is the ideal ground for tyranny to take over.
With a knowledge of the conditions in Namibias pretrial holding facilities, see HERE, it is an absolute atrocity to lock up a minor child in such conditions for a day or even just for a few hours. The psychological damage done to such a child cannot be undone. The alleged theft of a cell phone does not warrant such a punishment to be meted out intentionally, especially not towards a child aged 13.
What does cause greater concern, however, is the fact that recommendations from the Ombudsman keep being ignored since 2006. The only recourse we as Namibians have against tyranny from the side of government, is the Ombudsman. If government does not recognize his authority, how can we the people rely on him for recourse?
Another serious concern is the fact that the Namibian Cabinet decided in 2009 already that the Ministry of Safety should budget for the construction of special facilities, but nothing has happened to date.
What becomes obvious from the online discussion following this article is the total ignorance of the general public about their human rights, what the statute says and how it is applied in reality. This ignorance is the ideal ground for tyranny to take over.
I have very little in a frame of reference. We have crooks here in the states, but this redefines crook. Take care
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