The issue, he stated, raises important ethical and legal questions within the Banjul North community.
Hon. Bah, however, indicated that many are gravely worried about the type of country where children are growing and living with pedophiles, rapists, murderers, while being given Presidential Pardon by the highest office in the land without considering people's safety.
"What message are we sending across as a nation that claims to protect our children when the highest office of the land can release 4 paedophiles into the unsuspecting promise? Where is our commitment to the “Never Again” mantra which speaks specifically about child abuse, sexual and gender-based violence? What country are we creating for our women when we release rapists into society? How can we claim any commitment towards women empowerment when we turn around and give amnesty to convicted rapists? Hon. Bah queried.
He insisted that the due process must be followed in pardoning prisoners and the President’s Office must be advised to follow its own policies with which it continues to tout to citizens, donors and the international world.
The Banjul North legislator added that the authorities must not wait until rape becomes the order of the day, and their children are being violated on a regular basis, whereas “corrupt persons are released and get complete impunity to do whatever they want.”
"Is this The Gambia we envisage for our women, children and people living in this country? This is not a partisan issue; this is an issue that speaks to the heart of what makes us human. We must all strive towards working to build a country where every child, woman and man can grow up safe and protected to achieve their best potential," he argued.
Hon. Bah, however, indicated that as National Assembly, it’s their duty to exercise oversight over all the activities of the Executive including the President’s Prerogative of Mercy which is mandated by Section 82 of the Gambian Constitution.
“It’s time for Parliament to rise up and demand for better for our people’s safety,” he concluded.
