Passing the Terrorism (Prevention) Bill
published: Wednesday | December 24, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THERE SHOULD be no haste in passing any Terrorism (Prevention) Bill even if such a Bill is along the lines of the United Nations Resolution. There ought to be lengthy national debate involving Gov-ernment, the Opposition and the public at large, and in particular, the considered opinion of our legal luminaries to guard against infringement of our constitution and against sacrificing principle for expediency.

The United Nations was set up to maintain international peace and security. Each country belonging to the organisation keeps its independence and sovereignty. However, ironically the events of September 11, 2001 have understandably generated panic and over-reaction in some cases resulting in seemingly unending wars and real threat of wars and unintended infringements of constitutional rights and this resolution could be one such infringement.

We have to deal with the matter as we see it and not necessarily as others see it. Our purified and final draft could possibly be the model for all others to emulate even if they have to go back to the drawing board.

I am, etc.,

OWEN S. CROSBIE

oss@cwjamaica.com