Supporters hailed a group of Barbadians fresh from a hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on the controversial Cybercrime Bill.
Draped in national colours and waving flags and welcome signs at the Grantley Adams International Airport, they greeted the delegation of the group calling itself Loyal Opposition, as it returned from Washington, calling their effort a vital representation of Barbadian voices on the international stage.
Among them was the President of Barbados Youth Action Programme (BYAP) and Loyal Opposition member Lumunda Batson, who expressed pride, particularly for the young members of the delegation who presented arguments before the IAHCR.
“I’m glad to see that the youths are finally standing up and speaking out and making their voices be heard,” he said.
The delegates have declared their representation before the IACHR a win, though no final recommendations have been made.
The human rights commission has already proposed technical assistance in clarifying ambiguous terms within the bill, addressing concerns that vague language could infringe on freedoms of speech, religion, and conscience.
Religious leader Dr Ferdinand Nicholls, a member of the group that appeared before the IACHR, highlighted that offer to assist with refining the contentious legislation. He also dismissed the government’s interpretation of the hearing as a “ridiculous” attempt to claim victory, given the IACHR’s call for continued dialogue.
“The commission had little to say to us about our submissions but had plenty to say to the government,” he contended. “The government likes to say we’re just a handful of people. I want to remind Barbadians that one parliamentary representative speaks for 30 000 people. There were five of us at that table, so multiply that by 30 000 and that’s not a small group. We spoke on behalf of civil society.”
Attorney General Dale Marshall, responding to Barbados TODAY, maintained that the government has been responsive to public input and that the Cybercrime Bill had undergone significant revisions.
According to Marshall, the government initiated the Joint Select Committee (JSC) to ensure transparency, allowing citizens and civil society to contribute their views.
“First of all, as I understand it, the commission has asked for additional responses, so those are being prepared,” Marshall said. “Secondly, it is not clear to me as attorney general that the bill is deficient. The petition prepared and filed didn’t really account for the changes already proposed by the committee.”
Marshall noted that those who spoke before the IACHR had also shared their concerns before the JSC, which he said highlighted the government’s openness to consultation.
“If we weren’t open to dialogue, we wouldn’t have sent the bill to a select committee,” he added.
Marshall said he is awaiting a full briefing on the hearing’s developments and that any new issues raised will be carefully reviewed.
At this stage, however, he expressed caution about committing to the IACHR’s offer of technical assistance in refining the language of the bill.
“I can’t say that we’re going to take up the commission’s [offer] to try to find better texts because I’m not aware of what specific textual matters have been discussed and are considered deficient. Once the team briefs me, I’ll have a better idea,” he said.
shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb
