THE SUBSTANTIAL changes proposed to the controversial Terrorism (Prevention) Bill is a triumph for groups from civil society and for the parliamentary Opposition which have mounted strenuous objections to the Bill in its present form and even to the necessity for its existence at all.
Just last week Thursday a public forum of protest was staged at the Fellowship Tabernacle Church by a coalition of organisations opposing the Bill. Beyond the excesses of some speakers, substantial concerns were again raised in this forum.
The Terrorism (Prevention) Bill as originally proposed was regarded as a threat to civil liberties. There was an orderly process of objection by civil society and the parliamentary Opposition. Happily this was followed by the appropriate response of the Government in putting the issue before a Joint Select Committee of the nation's legislative assembly for review.
In chairing the first meeting of the committee on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Minister K.D. Knight said the proposed amendments would include a clearer definition of who could be deemed a facilitator of terrorist activity. There would also be limitations on the power of the Director of Public Prosecutions to initiate proceedings against entities involved in terrorism.
Legislation, particularly on matters deeply affecting civil liberties entrenched in the Constitution, must properly be approached with great caution allowing time and space for slow and careful deliberations involving Government, Opposition and civil society. Parliamentary democracy has evolved the mechanisms. They should be used, as a matter of course; and it is good that this is now happening.
A strong Opposition is vital to the democratic process; so is a vigilant and informed civil society. For years we have had massive swings from one party to the next to form the Government leaving a numerically weak Opposition in Parliament. Larger numbers this time round can provide greater check and balance. The emergence of several organisations in civil society willing and able to engage the state and its legislative process is a useful development.
There are other legislative issues of fundamental importance to civil liberties which have been enshrined as constitutional rights and freedoms. One such is the flexitime issue, which so far has received much less attention than the anti-terrorism legislation.
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