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{
    "id": 69226,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/69226/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 657,
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    "content": "Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, allow me to very humbly submit that it is time we broke out. But even as we do so, we also, as a people have to show empathy and understanding. The people whose names were read and some of us had great exception because you cannot just read out people’s names--- It does grave injustice, but since this has happened it behooves all of us as a nation to stand together with those amongst us who have been named. Where they require legal assistance, even Members of this House should take it upon themselves to stand with our citizens when they need that help. I will stand counted in that regard. I am sure my learned friend, hon. Orengo, who I will shortly be asking to second this Motion, agrees with me that as lawyers, we uphold that cardinal principle that nobody should be condemned unheard. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we have even heard other names being mentioned here today with regard to drug trafficking. Serious as that may be, I think we must avoid the temptation to go around naming each other in the streets because then we create gross distortion of the very principle of the rule of law; the basic necessity to make sure that everybody would have a fair hearing and nobody will be condemned. I fear that if we get into that habit, as a country, of making sure that if you disagree with somebody, you go naming them negatively, we will be creating some dangerous precedent. I, therefore, feel concerned and although we have said that Mr. Speaker should make a finding with regard to the document that was laid before this House, I think it is good that we give Mr. Speaker a little bit more time. I want to plead that we do not oppose this Motion of Adjournment on the grounds that tomorrow, the Speaker has to make a ruling. I think we all know that this document, somehow, has been addressed to various people. It is our business to stand for what is right, fair and just before the law. If I have said nothing today, I plead with my colleagues to hear my sentiments with regard to us believing in the rule of law. This is what is enshrined in the new Constitution. Let us stand and support hon. Members who need legal assistance because it is very expensive for one to defend themselves at the ICC. I want to conclude by thanking His Excellency the President because today, he said that there will not be the usual end of year party. He wants that money to go to the support of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Please, join me tomorrow. I want to go to"
}