Tweet
It appears that one of the Government's anti-crime legislations will be phased out as it may be in breach of Jamaica's Constitution.
Three bills were introduced last year in an effort to stem crime, but they have generated controversy because of the wide powers they give to the security forces.
The bills contain a clause which enables Parliament to carry out a review and decide this year whether to continue with them.
However, it seems that the Bail Interim Provisions for Specified Offences Act, which provides for the extended detention of suspects for certain crimes, will not be renewed.
According to Senator Dwight Nelson, the Minister of National Security, the Act may be inconsistent with the new Charter of Rights.
"What the new Charter of Rights says is that a person must be offered bail once he’s charged with an offence (and) that places the Bail Act in a new light. So, we’re continuing consultations and getting further advise on this because it would appear that under the new Charter of Rights, the Bail Act would be unconstitutional," Senator Nelson said.
He added that information is being sought from the police to ascertain whether the Acts were effective.
Once the data become available, Senator Nelson will meet with concerned groups.
"I'm hoping that before July 22, (which) is the last date for renewal of the bill, I’ll be able to sit down with the concerned organizations and satisfy them by way of the data provided," said Senator Nelson, who was speaking Tuesday evening, July 12, on RJR’s daily current affairs discussion programme Beyond The Headlines.
Three bills were introduced last year in an effort to stem crime, but they have generated controversy because of the wide powers they give to the security forces.
The bills contain a clause which enables Parliament to carry out a review and decide this year whether to continue with them.
However, it seems that the Bail Interim Provisions for Specified Offences Act, which provides for the extended detention of suspects for certain crimes, will not be renewed.
According to Senator Dwight Nelson, the Minister of National Security, the Act may be inconsistent with the new Charter of Rights.
"What the new Charter of Rights says is that a person must be offered bail once he’s charged with an offence (and) that places the Bail Act in a new light. So, we’re continuing consultations and getting further advise on this because it would appear that under the new Charter of Rights, the Bail Act would be unconstitutional," Senator Nelson said.
He added that information is being sought from the police to ascertain whether the Acts were effective.
Once the data become available, Senator Nelson will meet with concerned groups.
"I'm hoping that before July 22, (which) is the last date for renewal of the bill, I’ll be able to sit down with the concerned organizations and satisfy them by way of the data provided," said Senator Nelson, who was speaking Tuesday evening, July 12, on RJR’s daily current affairs discussion programme Beyond The Headlines.
Comment