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Is Evan Naseem’s case over?
Almost after a year, the Criminal Court of the
Maldives has
answered the long lasted question “who is responsible for
Evan’s death?” by declaring sentence of death to eight former
policemen, on 24th February 2005.
This is a time justice is being prevailed by giving birth to
a historic moment for both happiness and grief. This judgment
will slightly heal the pain caused to Evan’s family whilst the
families of those who were sentenced for death are at the
commencement of drowning into the oceans of tears and grief.
However, I confess that justice has served its true purpose
and may it be a lesson for the entire nation.
Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Qura’n,
13: 28
[for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find
satisfaction]
Why was Evan murdered?
Inmates in the
Maldives have
been for years an entertainment tool for the NSS personnel who
do their duty in the prison island as security officers. They
have been brutally tortured and there was no authority to
prevent the inhumane insanity. For obscure things inmates were
unconditionally beaten and tortured while the ‘watchdog’
pretended sleeping despite the fact that its eyes were wide
open. Consequently they return home being handicapped or
deceased after serving the sentence.
Negligence of law, absence of accountability and deliberate
ignorance of superior authorities were the sole reasons for
these brutal exercises that are being executed for years.
Therefore, Evan’s death was the aftermath of continuous crimes
committed by the authorities, and the lawless police power of
a unrestrained government. My concern remains yet to find out
that who is responsible for the cause of Evan’s murder and by
whose negligence was he murdered!
Investigating Evan’s death!
For many reasons, Evan’s case was investigated by
a special committee appointed by president Gayoom. Examining
the matter from a legal perspective, I would however say that
the investigation had only concentrated on the end of a
criminal reaction; Evan’s murder which was an absolute product
of a very long chain of hidden crimes continued for several
years. The essence of this crime therefore lies down
undiscovered, and neither had it been investigated nor had it
been brought before the court of law. I can’t agree, but Evan
was murdered and the Justice has spoken his word.
Final Word
Evan’s case and many other cases of that nature
will again born and live, if we are to seal this case with
eight persons being sentenced to death. To terminate the evil
living among us, we need to give power to the law. We need to
strengthen the country’s legal system. I bear witness that
this types of crimes are the outcome of lawlessness and of
lacking a proper mechanism to monitor the authorities top to
the bottom. If we continue with this scarcity, it would in
time lead us to bigger disasters than what we are today.
So, let the Constitution be emended, and laws be
enacted, but it will surely fail to serve its cause unless we
are there to uphold it.
Ends |
