What if it was you, Partap?

THE EDITOR: As I read the letter in the Newsday headed “A vote against decent, law-abiding citizens” I could not help asking myself, “Who is so ignorant to pen this?”

Then at the end of the letter I saw “Harry Partap, former UNC MP” and my question was answered. Clearly destined to be former a lot of things and not current anything.

Point 1: “I listened to the debate and could not reconcile in my mind how our lawmakers can put the rights of criminals above those of law-abiding citizens.”

They are the same rights. Go and do some reading on basic rights.

Point 2: “The six UNC and five Independent senators argued to protect the constitutional and human rights of criminals.”

No one is a criminal unless they are tried and convicted in a duly appointed, recognised court of law. Simply charging someone does not make them a criminal. In fact, if you look at the statistics you would realise that 999 times out of 1,000, the police do not have a case robust enough to pass through the court and gain a conviction.

Point 3: “They were concerned about conditions at Remand Yard and were sorry for criminals who will be locked away for four months pending bail.”

And rightly so!

Point 4: “It is a serious breach of the constitutional and human rights of decent citizens to live in peace.”

It is also a serious breach of the constitutional and human rights of any person to be found guilty before trial and testing of the evidence, and locked up without due process.

I bet Partap’s opinion would change if it was him being locked up. You would see how quickly he would be bleating for bail.

MOHAN RAMCHARAN

Birmingham, England