Since debate started on the bill two weeks ago, Free National Movement members have raised a furore over certain “vague” provisions.
“We have followed the debate very carefully and the Drafting Unit at the Office of AG has been taking a thousands looks at some of these conventions to see how the genuine concerns expressed in the Parliament and the thoughtful recommendations which have been made can be accommodated,” Attorney General Alfred Sears said.
He explained that in deciding to make amendments to the bill in the committal stage, government officials were guided by the need to strike a balance between the international obligations of the Bahamas and preserving the cherished and fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Bahamas.
He said the process of achieving the correct balance requires a national perspective, adding that the committee stage would allow for more consultation.
Since the debate began two week ago government, opposition and independent Members of Parliament have expressed reservations about certain provisions including the proposed death penalty upon a terrorist conviction.
On Wednesday evening, the bill passed into the committal stage without the support of the Opposition.
“We would support it when the amendments are made,” Opposition leader and North Eleuthera MP Alvin Smith said.
He claimed that on another occasion the Opposition supported the Co-operatives Bill after being told that amendments would be made. But it never happened, he said.
The proposed amendments will relate to two sections in the Anti-Terrorism Bill relating to the definition of terrorist act and dealing with specified entities, according to the Attorney General.
Legislators are also prepared to take a second look at local financial institutions and any dealings they may have with “specified entities,” so called under the United Nations Resolution 1373, which the Bahamas has adopted.
“Financial institutions in the Bahamas are prohibited from transacting any business with specified entities…but we have to see how they can provide a continuation of what we currently do without the dangers of limiting the civil rights and constitutional rights of persons in the Bahamas which are guaranteed by our constitution,” Mr. Sears explained.
The government is hoping to use the committee stage for more consultation on the Anti-Terror Bill.
The Bahama Journal
