The reactions caused by the ruling over the bloody incidents in Manolada ought to cause some concern to the judiciary. Mainly because it gives the impression that judge and jury undervalued compelling evidence presented during proceedings, as well as the prosecution’s substantiated proposal.
It is obvious that the judicial authorities have a duty and responsibility to investigate this particular incident. It is a given though that for a long time the law of the jungle was in place in this area. Because it wasn’t just the deplorable working conditions and inhuman exploitation of the migrants, there were scores of incidents against journalists – including some of To Vima – who tried to shed some light on what was going on in the area. Our country was also shamed by the international news agencies, television and press, as they documented the attacks against the migrant workers and their working conditions.
A just state, like the one we hope our country to be, ought to defend all citizens, all employees, whether they are Greek or foreign, with the same criteria and the same sense of justice; to attribute responsibility without distinction. It is also the duty of the state, with its auditing mechanisms, to ensure that such phenomena of corruption and bullying, against any employee, will never take place in that area or anywhere else.
TO VIMA
