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THE National Democratic Movement (NDM) says it is concerned that the proposed crime bills will deprive ordinary Jamaicans of their civil liberties in the name of crime fighting.
“Instead of these proposed draconian measures aimed at deterring crime, the NDM is of the view that the country will be better served if the security force is equipped with the technological capabilities to identify and capture these offenders,” the party said in a news release.
The NDM said that the main problem remains that offenders are not being caught.
“What is therefore needed is more investment into the means of apprehending the criminals and ensuring that when these perpetrators are caught there is sufficient forensic evidence to secure prosecution and conviction,” the NDM said.
The party cited lack of political will, shortfall in police personnel, inadequate use of technology and perceived corruption as more urgent priorities, rather than giving our security forces more power.
The NDM said it believes in intelligent and purposeful policing to arrest and deter criminals with minimum abuse of civil rights.
“The NDM believes that before these bills are passed by Parliament a major public education effort should be undertaken to enlighten the ordinary citizens of Jamaica on the implications and possible negative impact of these proposed draconian laws on their daily lives,” the party said.
Parliament is debating on the six anti-crime bills — an act to amend the Bail Act; and an act to make interim provision extending the powers of arrest and detention under Sections 50B and 50F of the Constabulary Force Act, along with an act to further amend the Firearms Act; an act to amend the Offences Against the Person Act; an act to amend the Parole Act and an act to make interim provision in relation to the grant of bail in specified circumstances.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...s-civil-rights
“Instead of these proposed draconian measures aimed at deterring crime, the NDM is of the view that the country will be better served if the security force is equipped with the technological capabilities to identify and capture these offenders,” the party said in a news release.
The NDM said that the main problem remains that offenders are not being caught.
“What is therefore needed is more investment into the means of apprehending the criminals and ensuring that when these perpetrators are caught there is sufficient forensic evidence to secure prosecution and conviction,” the NDM said.
The party cited lack of political will, shortfall in police personnel, inadequate use of technology and perceived corruption as more urgent priorities, rather than giving our security forces more power.
The NDM said it believes in intelligent and purposeful policing to arrest and deter criminals with minimum abuse of civil rights.
“The NDM believes that before these bills are passed by Parliament a major public education effort should be undertaken to enlighten the ordinary citizens of Jamaica on the implications and possible negative impact of these proposed draconian laws on their daily lives,” the party said.
Parliament is debating on the six anti-crime bills — an act to amend the Bail Act; and an act to make interim provision extending the powers of arrest and detention under Sections 50B and 50F of the Constabulary Force Act, along with an act to further amend the Firearms Act; an act to amend the Offences Against the Person Act; an act to amend the Parole Act and an act to make interim provision in relation to the grant of bail in specified circumstances.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...s-civil-rights
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