A bad law scrapped

The decision of the High Court to scrap the abhorrent law that legitimised all actions under Operation Clean Heart is a landmark judgement. Around 57 people died in custody and hundreds suffered injuries from torture during the operation. 

Apart from the fact that the judgment will provide hope of justice for the victims and their families, it is significant in several ways. 

We hope that the message will be conveyed to the lawmakers that the legislature cannot be used as a shield for acts that are illegal, which was the case in this instance. The legislation of 2003 also reflects on the legislators and their commitment to the rule of law. We feel that the MPs during that time had not fulfilled their responsibility towards their electorate of ensuring their basic right to life. 

This judgment, we hope, will put an end to the culture of impunity that was set in motion through the legislation in the name of establishing law and order. It gave the law enforcing agencies a feeling of superiority and a carte blanche, an unacceptable situation under any rule of law. It is regrettable that such a culture continues even today. 

We urge the government to ensure that never again such reprehensible laws are passed. Existing laws, moreover, that go against the spirit of human values and interest must be reexamined and scrapped. The parliament should ensure that the culture of accountability is established in all spheres of national life and snub any attempt to encourage a culture that denies people their right to life or recourse to justice and redress.