CARTAGENA, BOLÍVAR, COLOMBIA Man was accused of raping a minor. Before the police arrived at the scene, a crowd of angry people gathered around him and brutally beat him until he was covered in blood.
Although this kind of street justice may sometimes seem like a quick and effective punishment, in reality it is always a violation of the accused person’s fundamental rights. Even the worst abuser has the right to a fair trial and punishment according to the law. Anyone who takes part in such a lynching is committing a serious violation of the law and may, in some cases, be punished even more harshly than the accused himself. In such cases, always call the police.
