Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

Government yesterday attempted to allay the concerns of Jamaicans who believe their rights may be violated under the Sunset Legislation passed in the House of Representatives for Cricket World Cup 2007.

At the end of the near four-hour debate, the bill was passed with 20 minor amendments.

However, while Dr. Peter Phillips, Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, gave his assurance that the legislation would not result in any "wholesale" or "arbitrary" curtailment of Jamaicans' rights during the World Cup, he invited persons who feel their rights are violated during the event, to take the matter to the courts.

During the debate on the legislation, which makes provision for the fulfillment of the Government's obligations as it relates to the staging of the event, Dr. Phillips said the measure was not designed to infringe on businesses or individual's rights.

However Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, in his contribution to the debate, argued that, notwithstanding the Government's assurances, there were still areas of "ambiguity" in the legislation that must be addressed.

Discussing the issue of culpability if a person's rights are violated, Mr. Golding said it was not clear under which jurisdiction that person could be compensated as the responsible bodies might be based overseas.

Closure of roads

He also took issue with the closure of roads in the vicinity of the venue hosting the Cricket World Cup, arguing that businesses would be affected financially as neither suppliers nor customers would gain access to the location without accreditation.

Mr. Golding also challenged provisions that would force residents who live near the venue to be accredited in order to gain access to their homes.

The Opposition Leader warned that the rights of Jamaicans should not be left to the discretion of the police, who will administer the provisions of the legislation.

Commenting on fines totalling $1 million, which will be imposed on persons who breach the act, Mr. Golding said this amount should be reviewed.

Dr. Phillips said the bill would guard against what he called "ambush marketing," noting that persons who are not sponsors should not be allowed to exploit the goodwill value of the organisers.

"Those who are not sponsors try to reap where they do not sow," Dr. Phillips said.