PNP wants Crime Bills amended before giving support

PETER Bunting says the Opposition People's National Party is not responsible for the current stalemate over the six crime Bills which are yet to be passed into law, even as Jamaica grapples with a spiralling crime rate.

The six crime Bills -- an Act to amend the Bail Act; 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; an Act to make interim provision in relation to the grant of bail in specified circumstances; and an Act to make interim provision extending the powers of arrest and detention under Sections 50B and 50F of the Constabulary Force Act -- were put before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament in 2008. However, when the committee completed its deliberations after receiving submissions from a number of stakeholders and other members of the society four months later there is still to be consensus on the measures.

In March, Attorney General and Justice Minister Senator Dorothy Lightbourne said the Bills, which were lacking in some respects, were being redrafted. The administration has also said the lack of co-operation by the Opposition was responsible for the delay in their passage.

Making his contribution to the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate at Gordon House in Kingston yesterday, Bunting said the Opposition has consistently co-operated with the Government in the area of national security since September 2007 when the new administration took office.

Source: The Jamaica Observer
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