In the House Charter of Rights raises more concern
published: Sunday | June 11, 2006

Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

THE JOINT Select Committee of Parliament, examining the proposed Charter of Rights legislation, is scheduled to meet at Gordon House on Wednesday to hear a presentation from the Lawyers Christian Fellowship, a group that has taken issue with aspects of the bill.

A submission has already been made by the group to the committee, and as part of their presentation, the lawyers are expected to raise questions about what they claim was the vague wording of sections of the charter, particularly the clause in section 13, that speaks to the "respect for private and family life (and) privacy for home".

Lawyers Christian Fellowship argues that the wording in section 13 could be interpreted as paving the way for the legalisation of homosexuality and abortion, as well as forcing a ban on prayer in schools.

However, this was dismissed by Attorney-General and chairman of the committee, A.J. Nicholson during the February 10 sitting of the committee. He contended that amendments to the Constitution would not sanction same-sex marriage or any act of homosexuality.

TAXING ASSETS

Meanwhile, another parliamentary committee examining the Proceeds of Crime Bill is scheduled to meet on June 20 at Gordon House. At its last meeting, head of Legal Operations in Northern Ireland for the Assets Recovery Agency, Dr. Anthony Kennedy, who outlined the United Kingdom legislation on which the local bill is modelled, suggested that the Jamaican authorities should tax the assets of persons who gain wealth through illegal means.

At the committee's next meeting, members of the Jamaica Bankers' Association are expected to present recommendations on the bill. Other groups to address the committee include the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs and The Jamaican Bar Association.

Chairman of the committee, Dr. Peter Phillips said at the committee's meeting on May 24 that the Government was moving with urgency to consider and pass the Proceeds of Crime Bill. At present, the legislation has significant limitations and requires remedial work.