| Can become a political weapon “We believe that there are ulterior and sinister motives… We believe that it is a powerful weapon which could be misused in the hands of a government that alreadyshows a propensity to disregard the constitution.” The Alliance for Change is calling for the withdrawal of the Wiretapping (The Interception of Communication Bill) legislation that is slated for debate in National Assembly today.According to AFC leader, Raphael Trotman, yesterday, at a press briefing,Wholesale Jerseys Cheap, the piece of legislation has the potential, once made into law, to become a crippling political weapon.He noted that in countries where similar legislation has been implemented, it has only been used to target political oppositions rather than being used for the greater good of the nation.He said that it seeks to authorise the already illegally conducted practice of phone tapping,Wholesale Authentic NFL Jerseys, interception of emails, and other forms of electronic communication. “The AFC cannot in any way,Wholesale Jerseys, shape, or form, support this and the other pieces of legislation in their present form.”He added also that the recently tabled legislation introduced by the government points to a growing concern about deliberate efforts of the regime to turn Guyana into a police state. “We make no apologies for stating this…Our ire is raised because of the presence of several unsavoury Bills on the Order Paper awaiting passage into law.”When questioned whether the party would seek to have the Bill amended, Trotman said that the Bill in its entirety was ‘rotten’.The idea of wiretapping legislation emanates from a recent CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Heads of Government meeting but to date no other CARICOM country has even commenced drafting such legislation.Trotman added also that his research has unearthed that no CARICOM state has been involved in the drafting of the piece of legislation in Guyana, which was the idea when the issue was first circulated.He noted, too, that there was no structure in place to monitor the use of wiretapping in Guyana.“We believe that there are ulterior and sinister motives…We believe that it is a powerful weapon which could be misused in the hands of a government that already shows a propensity to disregard the constitution.”He said that it was because of the stated reasons that he and the party were unwilling to support the legislation.“We are not against supporting at some time but we need to see some safeguards in place to ensure that people’s rights and civil liberties are not violated.”In seeking that the legislation be withdrawn,Cheap Jerseys Outlet, Trotman called for a widespread public consultation.The AFC also voiced its opposition against the Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill that seeks to grant a right of Appeal to the state in criminal matters.This, the party leader said, is a first in the Commonwealth and in any other “free democracy as far as our research permits…The AFC cannot support any legislation that is considered unconstitutional and which removes the basic and fundamental right of a fair and final trial.”The party also expressed its reservations against the Telecommunications Bill.Trotman noted that there were two particularly disturbing aspects.Firstly, “On the one hand, it places in our considered opinion, a heavy burden on the suppliers and retailers of these cards, and, in the context of Guyana and the operation of our society,Cheap Soccer Jerseys Free Shipping, it will be extremely difficult,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, if not impossible, to comply with the strict requirements of recording, storage and sharing of information.“On the other hand, we believe that the provisions of the Bill represents a clear and present violation of the rights of all Guyanese citizens, in that it allows too much disclosure of information, which is already in the possession of the Administration.” |
