ECUADOR Three thieves were caught red-handed. Citizens took justice into their own hands and punished them in their own way. All three received a beating and had to walk through the so-called ‘alley of shame’ – they were handcuffed, stripped down to their underwear, and tires were placed around their necks while they had to march forward in public.
Although the form of street justice may sometimes appear to be a quick and effective punishment, the reality is that even a thief is a person with human rights. He also has the right to a defense, a fair trial, and punishment according to the law. Never participate in such actions – participants can expose themselves to greater risk in the eyes of the law than the thief himself. Always call the police to the scene.
