Release PRA suspects, say MPs
Feb 27, 2007
THE Government should respect the High Court ruling and release the People’s Redemption Army (PRA) suspects on bail, according to the legal and parliamentary affairs committee
The Government should respect the High Court ruling and release the People’s Redemption Army (PRA) suspects on bail, according to the legal and parliamentary affairs committee, reports Milton Olupot.
The MPs also recommended that the proceedings by the General Court martial against the suspects be immediately terminated.
Discussing a draft report on the continued detention of the suspects, due to be presented in Parliament, the MPs said it was gross abuse of the rights of the concerned persons. Members wanted to know why the other PRA suspects were not treated in the same way as their co-accused, Col. Kizza Besigye, who was released after he was granted bail. The committee observed that it was not interested in the merits and demerits of the case but that the orders of court be respected.
They noted that although some suspects had applied for amnesty, this should not be used to avoid the court order.
Ben Wacha said: ‘This will make our constitutional provisions irrelevant. The presumption of innocence before one is proved guilty is law.â€
The MPs also recommended that the proceedings by the General Court martial against the suspects be immediately terminated.
Discussing a draft report on the continued detention of the suspects, due to be presented in Parliament, the MPs said it was gross abuse of the rights of the concerned persons. Members wanted to know why the other PRA suspects were not treated in the same way as their co-accused, Col. Kizza Besigye, who was released after he was granted bail. The committee observed that it was not interested in the merits and demerits of the case but that the orders of court be respected.
They noted that although some suspects had applied for amnesty, this should not be used to avoid the court order.
Ben Wacha said: ‘This will make our constitutional provisions irrelevant. The presumption of innocence before one is proved guilty is law.â€