Public question ‘Forgiveness Bill’ Policy.

Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Manasseh Maelanga last Friday that the proposed contents are being considered and it could be introduced into parliament next year.

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.
Sub Editor
National Express News

The public and other prominent citizens have questioned the ‘Forgiveness Bill’ being proposed by the National Coalition for Reform and Advancement (NCRA) Government.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Manasseh Maelanga last Friday that the proposed contents are being considered and it could be introduced into parliament next year.

The forgiveness bill is likely to give amnesty to the perpetrators of crimes during the ethnic tension which was the main issue discussed during the forum.

A private lawyer, Andrew RadClyffe, argued that, it is not the job of the parliament to forgive, and he added that “granting the amnesty to the ethnic tension perpetrators will be unfair.”

“If there is a provision through the forgiveness bill for amnesty, it will be unfair to the four groups which exist today.”

“We have the first group of people who have served their term in prison, second once that are still in prison, third once that are waiting to be convicted and fourth once that are moving freely outside,” RadClyffe said.

Mr. Maelanga opening remarks stated that, the bill might provide a provision for the perpetrators to apply for immunity from prosecution and it might also allow those already convicted and still in prison to apply for pardon.

However, Mrs. Ruth Liloqula said “I don’t think this will give the nation lasting peace.”

“It will be a slap on the face of a mother who lost his son or daughter during the ethnic crisis,” Mrs. Liloqula said at the forum.

A lawyer by profession who want to remain unnamed told Express that if the proposed forgiveness bill is passed, the government must take into account the laws governing crimes in our country.
The lawyer said in any State, the constitution must prevail, “if the state forgives the perpetrators involved in the ethnic tension they are violating the law of basic human rights stated in our constitution.”

The lawyer said the proposed forgiveness bill will have some legal implication which results in conflicts of law.

Meanwhile, in the NCRA government policy statement handbook, it stated that the NCRA Government continues facilitate healing amongst our people with a view to enacting the ‘Forgiveness Bill’ to complement the task of the TRC thereby consolidating the country’s healing process.