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alexk
Guest
One final hurdle ahead for the Anti-Terrorism Bill.
Government may have been happy with yesterday’s passage of the bill in the Lower House with Opposition support, but the administration is watching to see how the Opposition deals with it in the Senate where the bill will be examined tomorrow and Friday.
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi was hugged and kissed by his PNM colleague Terrence Deyalsingh and Al-Rawi shook hands with Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar following yesterday’s unanimous passage of the bill, which became a point of contention in the final stage of discussions over the last three weeks.
The bill to outlaw terrorist activity and terrorist financing had required a special majority vote of 24 for passage. Both Government and Opposition MPs desk-thumped approval after voting for it. The Lower House also adjourned indefinitely (“sine die”) for its mid-year recess.
On Monday, Senate leader Franklin Khan said if the bill was passed in the Lower House, the Senate - which adjourned Monday - would meet on it tomorrow and Friday.
Yesterday’s passage was the conclusion of 18 months of work since it was announced by Government in February 2017. Then, T&T was in the international spotlight regarding confirmation of 130 T&T nationals joining the Islamic State terror group. Last October it was amended to 180. The bill was sent to a Parliamentary Joint Select Committee for scrutiny and stakeholder consultations.
While 26 of the bill’s 45 clauses were amended by the JSC process, Government and Opposition argued recently on the issue, particularly about further Opposition amendments.
Yesterday, Persad-Bissessar, revisiting certain clauses, said she was disturbed at Government’s comments.
“We want to fight terrorism but we must balance this with human rights. One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist. Nelson Mandela was on a watch-list,” she noted.
House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George interjected that the bill was examined by the JSC and a unanimous report done. Noting Persad-Bissessar’s view that the Parliament wasn’t a rubber stamp, she added the situation was like an organism eating itself - almost tantamount to abuse of Parliament. Persad-Bissessar protested. But Annisette-George said she wasn’t accusing either side.
Persad-Bissessar added that the Opposition wanted to find common ground, but was undermined by Government’s head. After the final unanimous vote, Persad-Bissessar told reporters,”I find it very unfair a one-sided perspective was given and no-one in the Opposition was asked to respond on claims we were against the bill.”
“We reached so far, in a bill of 45 clauses, they accepted most of our amendments, we just had concerns about six so why this pavement kind of ‘terrorist’ buffing of the Opposition? Then you jump on a plane and gone. Not even here to vote for something you claim is so important,” she added of the Prime Minister’s absence and recent criticism of the Opposition.
Government leader Camille Robinson-Regis told reporters Government was watching how Opposition senators would handle the bill.
“We won’t be surprised if we see a different reaction to today - 26 clauses were amended yet they had more. With the first JSC report they tried to negatise it through their MPs signed it,” Robinson-Regis said.
At an earlier media briefing, Robinson-Regis accused Persad-Bissessar of stirring up religious interest - when she addressed Muslims last Saturday - and countermanding her own MPs in the JSC report.
“It appears the UNC ‘s trying to win the Muslim vote in Barataria by-elections by trying to make Government appear anti-Muslim. A large percentage of the electorate lives in El Socorro and they’re seeking to get their favour.”
Commenting on the decision yesterday, the Muslims of T&T PRO Imtiaz Mohammed said they weren’t 100 per cent satisfied with the outcome of the debate and would be keeping a close watch on how the bill will be dealt with in upcoming Senate debate.
“Although some of our major concerns have been addressed and amended, there are still areas - such as regarding returning T&T nationals - which we have concerns about. The jail time and fines outlined in this bill under certain amendments is a gross injustice to citizens. If one is affected by this fine, his entire family can become homeless. Also, the designation of certain areas - as restricted - is also still of concern to us.”