QUESTION OF THE DAY
IS IT LEGAL FOR SECURITY FORCES TO IMPOSE A CURFEW WITHOUT THE PUBLICATION OF SUCH A DECLARATION IN THE GAZETTE?
The answer is in the negative. Every Gambian has a right to freedom of movement as long as one is not arrested and charged with a crime.
It is therefore wrong for security forces to take the law into their own hands and declare a curfew in any part of the country without relying on the dictates of the law. It always appears reasonable when one is on the side of the state for any action to be taken to suppress those one considers a threat because of their opinions or actions.
A threat is a threat only if it is backed by unlawful action. Such actions may lead to arrests and trial but will never justify impunity and abuse of power.
