Recent Caricom Heads Discussion - Wire tapping legislation
April 7, 2008
The focus of the recent Caricom heads meeting was the anti-crime measures to be initiated in the recent surge of crime in the Caribbean with particular highlight of the recent incidents that occurred in Guyana (the Lusignan and Bartica massacre). Numerous ideas were put forth but a key item of discussion is wire tapping. It seems most Caricom members participate in wire tapping however it is not properly regulated. The current legislation of most Caricom members does not cover or properly regulate the use of wire tapping by the local authority. Because of the lack of legislation, most information obtained from wire tapping cannot be used as evidence in a court of law.
It seems that the Caricom community is going to go through the same circumstances that the United States experienced during their legislative documentation on the use of wire tapping. I truly hope that they will learn from the mistakes made by far advanced countries that already have an effective legislation that govern the use of wire tapping.
Many issues arise from the moving of the Caricom countries in this direction, mainly individuals’ privacy. Are the private information that we provide over the phone such as bank numbers and other financial information being properly destroyed when received through wire tapping. Which authority will regulate who is appropriate to wire tap. There will be many forth coming debates in the near future on this issue; we should get our comments and beliefs in now before our parliament votes on the new bill. Surely our privacy should be 1st on the topic of discussion on this bill when placed before parliament and the continuity of structured legislative to effectively manage and enforce the use of wire tapping for approved means only.
Mr. Shiva B
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4 Responses to “Recent Caricom Heads Discussion - Wire tapping legislation”
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Here is a quote on one of the Guyana forums by Communicator,
“And even though I know the President is linking phone tapping to criminal activities, I have to ask why he is rushing into this area when he is yet to complete reforming the police force, with a SWAT team, to function on a professional level? Why hasn’t he reformed the judiciary so it can reduce the backlog of outstanding criminal cases that date back years? Doesn’t he know that as criminal cases pile up and suspects are sent to remand that the prison system is being dangerously overpopulated?”
Why does it seem like the government is trying to do too many things at once (crime lab, SWAT team, reform of the police force)?
This is probably why nothing gets done completely in Guyana. The government’s innitatives are all over the place.
Annand, I certainly share your opinion on the efforts that the President is making in order to curb the current crime situation. That have also dedicated a large sum in the 2008 budget towards security.
One has to question as to whether this money would be better spent else where. It also seems that we outsourcing a lot of work. Should be not try to train some of our local men / women and have them continue the education process within our police force.
I agree Mr. Shiva B. We should try to train local men/women. I think management is the bigger problem within the government. Replace key individuals who aren’t getting things done or aren’t doing what they are supposed to do. Why is it that every time I hear about the government it always has something to do with corruption, incompetence, or lack of leadership?
Freddie Kissoon says, “The Guyana Government will get any talent it wants in engineering, education, science etc. What it finds difficult to attract is political consultants. There are plenty of them in Guyana and in the Diaspora but they are not going to defend the sixteen-year rule of the PPP without structural damage to their scholarly credibility.” Click here to read Freddie Kissoon’s article.
Why do these political consultants need to defend the PPP? The government doesn’t need people to defend its actions. What it needs are competent individuals to advise on decisions that all areas of Guyana.
What do you think Mr. Shiva B.?