In 1978 the PNC administration proposed the Administration of Justice Bill which sought, among other things, to increase the number of offences which could be tried summarily, that is to say, before a Magistrate. These offences which were known as indictable offences, were heard before a Judge and jury. There was great opposition to the […]
Author Archives: Ralph Ramkarran
DECRIMINALISING ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES
More than fifty years ago the United Kingdom gave recognition to a reality that had existed for centuries or even millennia. It decriminalized homosexual acts by repealing legislation which made these acts illegal by providing that consenting adults are not guilty for such acts done in private. Such legislation, inherited from our colonial masters, who […]
I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN
The sense of déjà vu cannot be avoided. It took a while coming this time. But the refrain by APNU immediately after the elections about irregularities gave a hint of what was to come. Notwithstanding earlier assurances by Opposition leaders that their examination of the Statements of Poll would not show that the final results […]
UBUNTU
The year 2011 has been proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Year of People of African Descent. My first article for this year commemorates this significant event by reviewing some ideas and views that shaped the character and motivated the sacrifices of the greatest African, and the most admired human being, alive today.
Ubuntu is an African concept which means that we are only human through the humanity of others; that if we accomplish anything it will be equally due to the achievements of others. Mandela explained this concept in the Preface to a book, Mandela’s Way, as one which is understood by its author, Richard Stengel, who had collaborated with him in the arduous task of writing Long Walk to Freedom. Mandela’s modesty would not allow him to tell us that he achieved anything in his lifetime. But his explanation of the concept allows him to tell us in a manner as elegant as the man himself, that if Stengel attributes any successes to him, it was equally due to the efforts and sacrifices of his colleagues.
WIKILEAKS
WikiLeaks is a non-profit organization which exposes ‘wrongdoing’ and ‘unethical’ conduct by the publication of official documents from anonymous sources. It has thrown United States diplomacy in turmoil by the release of 250,000 cables of confidential diplomatic communication, with more to come. The cables expose embarrassing comments on world leaders, the private views of allies and friends on national and international issues, the private views, sometimes embarrassing, and concerns of the US about its friends and opponents and instructions by US authorities to spy on diplomats at the United Nations.
WikiLeaks has previously published material from China, Kenya, Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result of its exposures on Iraq the estimated number of civilians killed has had to be increased by 15,000. A new dimension to its work has now been added with the publication of diplomatic cables. From being hailed as a hero, WikiLeaks is now being condemned as placing the security of the US in jeopardy or at least, harming the interests of the US. The US Administration has been working feverishly to limit the damage from the exposures. However, apart from some temporary coldness in its relations with those countries whose leaders have been the subject of negative remarks, no permanent damage is likely to ensue. Administration officials are at pains to play down the potential impact of the leaks, while holding their breath for those which are expected to be made in the coming days.