Justice and human rights are two sides of the same coin. The courts have power to convict those who offend the law and penalise those found guilty. On the other hand, it also defends those whose rights are violated.
The clarion call is to prevent any recurrence where the authority of the court is muzzled by disrespecting its order. Recent developments at the Bundung Magistrates Court does confirm the powers of the court viz a viz the police.
Both institutions are designed to enforce the law. However there are fundamental differences between executive authority and judicial authority. The Constitution makes executive authority to be exercised under the ambit of the law.
It is the duty of the courts to interpret the law and issue orders to be followed by all other enforcers of the law. And when those orders are given, they must be respected, otherwise one could be charged with contempt of court. If the rule of law is to prevail, if impunity is to be arrested, where a person is granted bail by the court the police must respect the verdict of the court, otherwise an officer could be charged for contempt of court.
This is what must be avoided by the law enforcement agencies in their relation with the courts. At no time must the court be seen to be weak. Otherwise justice will be imperiled and the rule of law will be the casualty.
