Public to have say on child protection and justice laws

Before the Child Protection Bill and Child Justice Bill go any further in Parliament, the public will get the opportunity to share views, concerns and suggestions, Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams has revealed.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday, he said the two pieces of legislation were still at the stage where they could be amended and adjusted to take public opinion into account.
Since both bills were tabled in Parliament in recent weeks, concerns have been raised by a human rights activist, several attorneys-at-law and members of the wider public about some of the contents, especially the Child Protection Bill and its implications for parents and caretakers.
Acknowledging this, Abrahams explained that the debate in the Lower House has been paused as both bills have gone to a Joint Select Committee for further consideration and where public input will be garnered.
“These committees will, in consideration of both the child protection legislation and the child justice legislation, publish their procedure to the public…. They’re also going to invite comments from the public in relation to the bills…,” he told members of the media gathered at his ministry’s Wildey, St Michael office.
“What is critical to note is that the bills have not passed. They are not yet law. I am hearing some discussions out there as if the bills are au fait accompli or as if the bills have already been passed and they’ve been put into action. That is not the case. The public is going to have its chance to weigh in on areas of concern for it, to write in with their comments or their suggestions.”
Claiming there is a lot of “fake news” going around regarding the bills, particularly on social media, the Home Affairs Minister urged persons to read the pieces of legislation in their entirety before forming an opinion.
(JB)