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The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 6 Feb 2002 12:46:34 EST
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Sherrif Dibba uttering absolute rubbish here.  What does he mean by his call 
to do away with legality?

BTW, did anyone see the pictures of him with that ridiculous 14th century 
"admiral style" hat at the swearing in of NAMs.  If you have not seen it, 
please check the statehouse site.  Oooh, it is so funny.  The poor chap, 
while a great politician in his own right, is clearly out of his element & 
maybe a bit senile.  How else can one explain that silly looking hat!  
Anyway, the following is from The Point"

Mr. Speaker Sir!   
Ours is today a message to the Speaker, a fine gentleman as we used to know 
him. We were really disturbed by his recent utterances at the National 
Assembly. Mr. Dibba was one of the first Ambassadors to the ACP countries in 
Brussels where procedures and legality prevail in difficult negotiations. He 
witnessed the difficult days of the making of Europe.
Therefore, Sheriff Dibba’s call to do away with legality is a matter of great 
concern. The reason why a member of Parliament cannot be taken to court for 
his/her utterances speaks volume as far as the freedom of expression is 
regarded in parliamentary practice. In fact, in other countries that immunity 
extends to the streets and all other places. 
In those countries, if a parliamentarian commits a crime in his or her 
dealing outside the assembly, he or she can only be tried if his or her 
colleagues agree to dispossess him or her of that immunity. So, free 
expression is a sine qua non for any assembly. Dissent was even allowed in 
Moscow’s Duma during the totalitarian regime of Soviets. We all remember 
Dibba’s ‘sortie’ as a former outspoken member of Parliament when he moved a 
motion of non confidence against the then PPP government. Dibba has been an 
effective opposition member in Parliament as the leader of the NCP and he is 
very conversant with all that goes with such a role. 
Therefore, let the debate be free at the Assembly. Let the people receive 
what they paid for with their sweat and tears under the sun of the 18th 
October and the 17th January. They leave you with your salaries and other 
emoluments, give them their due; explain clearly what is being done in their 
name at the assembly. Free expression must flow so that people identify with 
one shade or another in the market of ideas and vision the Assembly must 
always be. Take it easy brother...Take it easy brother... Mr. Speaker Sir, 
the ball is in your court! 


    
    
    

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