A big step against violence
No party in Parliament has the right to encourage, participate in or cover up acts of violence that are in violation of the country?s laws.
The circular issued on Tuesday by the Supreme Court makes this very clear and further obliges the police to enforce the law even in cases when the people breaking it are members of Parliament.
The circular clearly states that police officers have the right to intervene and stop MPs even if their immunity has not been lifted.
This is very good news and it was high time that such a high-ranking authority stepped in to put an end to the impunity enjoyed by extremist groups who feel entitled to take the law into their own hands and trample all over the fundamental principles of democracy.
Let us hope that the Supreme Court?s circular will not fall on deaf ears and that it will be enforced. Most importantly, let us hope that all of the political parties that respect our democratic institutions will clearly condemn the use of illegal force, no matter where it comes from.
