86. The Respondent States also notes Section 42 of the Criminal Procedure
and Evidence Act, [Chapter 9:07] provides that:
“(1) If any person who is authorized or required under this Act or any other
enactment to arrest or assist in arresting another person attempts to make the
arrest and the person whose arrest is attempted -
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(a) resists the attempt and cannot be arrested without the use of force; or
(b) flees when it is clear that an attempt to arrest him is being made or resists
the attempt and flees; the person attempting the arrest may, in order to
effect the arrest, use such force as is reasonably justifiable in the
circumstances of the case to overcome the resistance or to prevent the
person concerned from escaping.
(2) Where a person whose arrest is attempted is killed as a result of the use of
reasonably justifiable force in terms of subsection (1) the killings shall be
lawful if the person was to have been arrested on the ground that he was
committing or had committed, or was suspected on reasonable grounds of
committing or having committed an offence referred to in the First Schedule.”
87. At the international level, the Respondent State makes reference to the
United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Fire Arms by Law
Enforcement Officials adopted on 7 September 1990. It notes:
Paragraph 9
“…intentional use of firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable in
order to protect life.”
Paragraph 10
“…law enforcement officials shall identify themselves as such and shall give
a clear warning of their intent to use firearms, with sufficient time for the
warnings to be observed, unless to do so would unduly place the law
enforcement officials at risk or would create a risk of death or serious harm to
other persons, or would be clearly inappropriate or pointless in the
circumstances of the incident.”
Paragraph 22
“Governments and law enforcement agencies shall ensure that an effective
review process is available and that independent administrative or
prosecutorial authorities are in a position to exercise jurisdiction in
appropriate circumstances.”
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