The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
FRIDAY,
AUGUST 19, 2016
VOLUME 110, No.33
www.thevincentian.com
EC$1.50
CYBERCRIME BILL CREATES CLASHES by WILLIAM “KOJAH” ANTHONY
VINCENTIAN CITIZENS and anyone operating in Cyber space for that matter will have to pay attention to the Cyber Crime Bill here. The vote in favour of the new law came from the ruling Unity Labour Party parliamentarians. Even though there was no numerical contest by the opposition New Democratic Party, they were vocal in their objection to clauses of the legislation. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves chided Opposition members for their stance on the matter. He described the Bill as a “necessary piece of legislation which passes constitutional muster.” He was “disappointed by the debate offering by the Opposition.” The Bill’s introduction by the Prime Minister and Finance Minister served as a springboard for the surfacing of differences between the two parties. Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves (furthest right) has rebuked the Opposition members for their lack Dr. Gonsalves denied that he brought the Bill “to of support for the Cybercrime Bill. Also pictured are Deputy Prime Minister Sir Louis Straker and stifle criticism on the internet.” He recalled that it Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan (centre). had its first reading May 31, when a Select Committee was appointed. There were no recommendations from the NDP. Gonsalves pointed to the regional nature of the Bill, and that it was based on CARICOM policy positions. He Right: Leader of the reflected on his suffering as a Opposition Arnhim Eustace consequence of his “defence of (furthest left) has voiced the individual rights and freedom.” by DAYLE DA SILVA “This thing has been tossed to and New Democratic Party’s fro,” Dr. Gonsalves noted, and opinion on the Cybercrime THE CYBERCRIME BILL had Bill, and it is not a favourable contended that “it is a reasonable law a successful passage in the one. Also pictured from left to for what is required to be addressed.” House last Friday; however He urged the parliament not to right are: Terrance Ollivierre, Leader of the Opposition “manufacture any battles and fights.” St. Clair Leacock, Daniel Arnhim Eustace, in an Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace Cummings and Nigel official statement Monday, Grenadines would then be taken several steps backwards. responded to a practice of victimisation Stevenson who all had their said that the New “Back to the dark days of colonialist repression; back to which he accused the government of Democratic Party (NDP) has say in rejection of the Bill. the days of failed authoritarianism in the Caribbean; and embarking on from 2001. condemned the action. back to the voicelessness of slavery,” Eustace said. He noted that a “certain attitude has Eustace read the official statement on Monday’s edition “It is unconceivable that in the second decade in the developed where many just want to of the ‘New Times’ radio programme, saying that the 21st century, an administration that claims to be ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) regime had passed the progressive; an administration that claims to want to build keep their mouth shut and not get involved in any activities in our Cybercrime Act, and that in order for the Act to become a modern society; an administration that seeks to protect country.” working law and applied and tested in a court of law, it its citizens, is forcing through, in the face of wide- spread The Opposition Leader added: “There first had to be published in the Government Gazette and bipartisan and nonpartisan international opposition, a is a fear in this land, whether we want then assented to by the Governor General. backward, draconian and dangerous law,” he continued. to admit it not.” But once that process was over, St Vincent and the Continued on Page 3. Continued on Page 3.
NDP CONDEMNS BILL’S PASSAGE