BUSTABITCH

So even as I begin to write this, I know that I am going to get a lot of flack and some negative comments for what I am about to write, but someone has to be brave enough to say this.

Samantha Orobator is a 20 year Nigerian who grew up in the United Kingdom. She was (allegedly) caught with 1.5 pounds of heroin while trying to board a plane in Laos to Thailand. In Laos, drug smuggling is a crime and if found guilty, because the amount of drugs she had, she will face death by firing squad. There has been international outcry and outrage about her case and intense pressure is being levied on the Laotian government by the UK and international human rights groups.

The Laotian government released a statement stating that she would not be put to death by firing squad, because she is pregnant. It is being asserted that by her supporters that she is five months pregnant, however it is believe that she has been in custody for eight months.

Now interestingly enough as you read the news articles and watch the stories on the international media, no one has denied that she trafficked the drugs, her mother even stated that she cannot believe her daughter did this willingly or voluntarily. All the media stories have focused on the human rights aspect a 20 year old in a Laotian jail facing a death sentence and the incredulousness of the sentence.

This is what irks me at times with the media, it is very easy to put a slant on a story, without focusing on the facts. Fact, she went into a foreign country, a sovereign land and committed a crime that is punishable by death. While it is very heart ranching and saddening, that is the law in Laos. Whether willingly or not, she entered a foreign country, who drug trafficking laws are notorious and committed a crime. Now she should face the repercussions of her actions. I know that may sound really cold and a bit heartless, but I am sure there are thousands of young men and women who are jailed in the UK who may also have compelling stories or reasons why they committed their crimes, yet they were held accountable for their actions. It perturbs me, that the UK and various human rights groups are trying to compel the Laotian government to disobey their laws and give Samantha preferential treatment. Do you think there would be reciprocity if a Laotian national was jailed in the UK? Would there even be a media blitz and public relations campaign for it?

On a deeper issue, I am not a parent (yet :) ), so I know that I cannot understand the bond between a parent and their child. I have nieces that I love as if they were my own children, so I can intellectually understand that no parent ever wants to see their child suffer or experience pain. But, in my view, the job of a parent is to train and develop their child so that they can be well adjusted successful productive members of society. If we do not teach our children accountability or responsibility for their actions, then we are doing them and society a disservice.

I hope that an equitable solution is found in Samantha Orobator's case, but no government or agency has the right to interfere with the laws and tenants of a sovereign nation. I would hope that the outrage and outcry that Britons have for this case, will translate to those young people jailed within their own country as well, because the hypocrisy is overwhelming.