Senators passed the Justice Protection Bill on Wednesday, which would make it an offence to threaten, use violence, damage or cause loss of employment to a person who is or is slated to be a witness.
The bill, which is largely reflective of Trinidad and Tobago’s Justice Protection Act, carries a penalty of 10 years in prison for those offences.
The bill would also allow depositions taken before a magistrate at a preliminary inquiry to be admitted at a trial on a wider scale than presently permitted due to the absence of a witness subject to certain conditions.
It would also make it an offence to insult persons appearing or about to appear as witnesses in judicial proceedings. The penalty on conviction would be a 12-month prison term.
Touting the bill as one of major importance, government senators during their debate said that it would allow witnesses to testify without fear of being harmed.
Senator Philip Galanis said that over the years some people who had essential information that could convict suspects, found that their lives and the lives of their families were threatened. However, he said the bill would help address this serious concern.
“This bill addresses all those persons who might be adversely impacted by criminal elements who wish to undermine the criminal justice system,” Mr. Galanis said.
He said once the various mechanisms are put in place as part of the new legislation, witnesses would feel more protected.
“I think it is fair to say that this bill sends a very powerful message to would-be or known or existing criminal elements and those who would seek to persuade or discourage the course of justice. The days of impunity are over and they would face the full weight of the law for any infraction of the Act,” Mr. Galanis said.
Senator Paulette Zonicle called it “a red-letter day” for the government.
“We have seen clear cases of witness intimidation and threats to death and death itself,” Ms. Zonicle said.
“We have seen senseless killings of police officers who were key witnesses, but were gunned down to silence them. We must not allow the fear of attack on our citizens to deter them from doing their civic duty.”
She pointed to the shooting of Calvonya Grant, who is now paralyzed after a gunman broke into her home and shot her.
The teenager was a key witness to her mother’s murder, according to police.
“As a country we cannot allow this to be tolerated and the legislation before us will begin the process of systemically addressing this problem,” Ms. Zonicle said.
By: Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
