OPINION : Heavy handed xenophobia

hoyporhoy. La Prensa May 23

THE INCIDENTS of violence and armed robberies that have shaken the capital city in recent days have caused citizens to feel defenseless and demand decisive and firm action of the  public security bodies.

The fight against crime should not mean the abuse of the rights of nationals and foreigners living in our country. According to the National Police, between the night of Sunday, May 21 and  early morning on Monday 22 “148” motorcycle drivers were “checked”, none of which resulted in a pending case  This operation has exacerbated xenophobia and fear. The police practice of apprehending motorcyclists, especially if they are foreigners, is illegal, because police apprehension can only occur in circumstances of flagrante delicto, or escape from a penitentiary or similar establishment. This is not the way to protect the community and serve the Constitution.