Democracy and Deportation
Recently in the Britain there have been strident calls for foreign would-be terror suspects to be deported. Suddenly, deportation beckoned, or was presented as an answer to deal with many controversial and difficult legal decisions, which have been caused since the government's 'war in terror ' iniative. These situatons arise where authorities are appear unclear about interpreting current laws, and about how to proceed in dealing with some of these new and unusual judicial matters.But is deporting people, without any access to a judicial process, an answer? Or does it simply drive the problem away temporarily?
Most enthusiasm for this kind of justice seem to come from the large print media who usually preaches, and expects, quick answers to every problem. I dont't see how deportation of new residents fits in with modern ideas of democracy. To me, once an individual has been given right of residence; they are therefore entitled to all elements of due process. They live in the country, and should follow the rule of law. If they don't and commit a crime, they should be charged with the offence, and allow the court to decide whether they are guilty or innocent.
There is another issue here, and that is the issue of leverage. In the absence of law, or the courts, it is left to one person to make that big decision, whether the said individual should deported, or not. That does not seem very fair, and again it suggests more than a great degree of partiality. Given the situation we are in, and considering the terror threats from within, or internationally, I do think we must demonstrate at all times, respect for laws, and civil liberties. There should always be a balance between one and the other. If we don't, we will be failing the test of what true democracy means.
Recently in the Britain there have been strident calls for foreign would-be terror suspects to be deported. Suddenly, deportation beckoned, or was presented as an answer to deal with many controversial and difficult legal decisions, which have been caused since the government's 'war in terror ' iniative. These situatons arise where authorities are appear unclear about interpreting current laws, and about how to proceed in dealing with some of these new and unusual judicial matters.But is deporting people, without any access to a judicial process, an answer? Or does it simply drive the problem away temporarily?
Most enthusiasm for this kind of justice seem to come from the large print media who usually preaches, and expects, quick answers to every problem. I dont't see how deportation of new residents fits in with modern ideas of democracy. To me, once an individual has been given right of residence; they are therefore entitled to all elements of due process. They live in the country, and should follow the rule of law. If they don't and commit a crime, they should be charged with the offence, and allow the court to decide whether they are guilty or innocent.
There is another issue here, and that is the issue of leverage. In the absence of law, or the courts, it is left to one person to make that big decision, whether the said individual should deported, or not. That does not seem very fair, and again it suggests more than a great degree of partiality. Given the situation we are in, and considering the terror threats from within, or internationally, I do think we must demonstrate at all times, respect for laws, and civil liberties. There should always be a balance between one and the other. If we don't, we will be failing the test of what true democracy means.
Comments