A VOCIFEROUS rejection by members of a joint select committee of Parliament to a recent charge that parliamentarians vote mainly along party lines, might return to haunt them, if they are seen to be playing politics with the six controversial anti-crime bills now before Parliament.
David Batts, vice-chairman of the Independent Jamaican Council for Human Rights, was pressured to withdraw the comment he made during his submission on September 25.
He indicated that parliamentarians did not vote according to their conscience, but were merely mental slaves to their party's positions.
The final meeting of the joint select committee, which considered the anti-crime bills on Friday, descended into a partisan divide because Opposition and Government members refused to budge from their respective stance on a matter that could have easily been resolved without prolonged argument.
Some legislators can no longer be excused for being parliamentary neophytes when they display either naivety or a lack of common sense in relation to parliamentary procedures.
At the same time, it appears some parliamentarians are bedevilled by an overbearing ego, which gets in the way of the people's business. Members of the House and by extension, the Senate must treat the nation's business with the urgency and gravity it deserves.
No stranger to controversy
Each Member of Parliament or Senator has the right to vigorously debate and question any issue that he or she feels may not be in the best interest of his or her constituents.
K.D. Knight is no stranger to controversy in Gordon House. In fact, he has had too many brushes with Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, who chairs two joint select committees. "You fumbled," he taunted Lightbourne in one exchange that almost led to a premature end to a committee meeting.
Supported by his opposition colleagues A.J. Nicholson and Mark Golding, Knight on Friday wanted the committee to propose changes to provisions in the draft of anti-crime bills as part of its report to Parliament.
Lightbourne, who chairs the committee, rejected the suggestion making it clear that the committee would not attempt to amend the proposed laws, which enjoyed bi-partisan backing during the Vale Royal talks between the ruling Jamaica Labour Party and the Opposition People's National Party.
Government senators Tom Tavares Finson and Arthur Williams sided with Lightbourne. She added that recommendations from the public and committee members would be compiled and submitted with the bills.
Knight said he would not be bound by bi-partisan agreements coming out of the Vale Royal talks. He said if Government members were inflexible the Opposition reserved the right to tender a minority report.
"Two-thirds of 21 is 14," Knight said. "You need two-thirds from the Senate to pass this legislation in the Senate," he continued, hinting that the Opposition's full support was needed to pass the measures.
We warn both the opposition PNP and the ruling JLP not to allow political posturing or narrow party interests to side-track the collective will that is needed at this time to fight crime and violence in Jamaica.
The committee members should also be reminded of the chorus of denunciation, which echoed across the floor of Gordon House when Batts dared to accuse them of carrying out the dictates of their party leaders.
Rubber stamp
Ironically, almost a month after the human rights activist made his controversial comments, K.D. Knight, stopped short of concluding that the committee had been relegated to a rubber stamp for the Vale Royal accord.
Even though the committee has concluded its deliberations, it must be noted that its members have not yet approved the report, which would be sent to both houses of parliament. The report should be completed within the next two weeks.
Finally, we caution against accepting the provision for a 60-day detention before bail can be granted for persons accused of specified crimes. Knight has made a compelling case for an amendment to the bill. We urge the House of Representatives to carefully consider this proposal and work toward a compromise.
thegavel@gleanerjm.com
We warn both the opposition PNP and the ruling JLP not to allow political posturing or narrow party interests to side-track the collective will that is needed at this time to fight crime and violence in Jamaica.
Some legislators can no longer be excused for being parliamentary neophytes when they display either naivety or a lack of common sense in relation to parliamentary procedures.
