The danger of general amnesty in the absence of moral restraints and legal deterrents together facilitates crime and encourages its repetition, as we have touched and seen recently with the escalating crime rate.
This is primarily due to the weakness of stringent laws, the repeated demands for general amnesty, and the expansion of the scope of alternative penalties to imprisonment.
This sends a wrong message that undermines the dignity of the law and counters the interests of society, which requires the enforcement of deterrent penalties and thereafter comes the principle of tolerance.
Here, I am appalled by the demands of some members of parliament for a new general amnesty law despite the fact that the previous amnesty was not even a year old.
I also find it strange how previously they insisted on stringent imprisonment for struggling non-criminal fathers in all laws, and were in favor of enacting the electronic crimes law that limits freedom of expression, and now they demand a general amnesty for criminals. Have the scales tipped?!
The honorable members of the assembly should cease demanding a general amnesty for criminals at all times, and should support the nation's interest and the enhancement of community security, demanding tougher penalties for crimes in all their forms, and calling for amnesty and tolerance for opinion detainees who do not pose a threat to society.
And we say today, no to tolerance, no to laxity, no to general amnesty for repeat offenders, thugs, and drug dealers.
May God protect the nation and its people from all harm.
Blessed Ramadan.
