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Witnesses need proper protection-AG

Oct 11, 2016 News

There is a perception that no charges have been filed in relation to information coming out of the many Commissions of Inquiry and Audits conducted.
“This is not true,” said Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General (AG), Basil Williams, as he responded to questions about what would seem to be an unwillingness to act by the authorities.
Williams said that it is more a question of the quality, nature and impact of such charges. The AG added that he was informed that some of the witnesses in these cases would need protection. Thus the Ministry is in the process of drafting Witness Protection legislation.
Williams explained that the Coalition Government inherited a Whistleblower Bill. However when one looks at the Bill, one would get the impression that that Bill was created by mobsters.
The AG added that these two Bills go hand in hand, noting that if persons give credible information about illegal activities those individuals need to be protected.
“When you look at the mechanism that was provided under that Bill (Whistleblower Bill) for persons to blow their whistle, that Bill had five stops in the chain. So they had to go, stop one give their name and address, all their bio data—everything. Then they are required to do this again at the second stop, then again at the third, again at the fourth stop and again at the fifth stop.”
The official explained that persons who are familiar with crime and criminality would know that the whistleblower would not be able to reach the fifth stage as the individual would have given his particulars in detail at the first stage, Williams explained.
The AG said that it is because of these issues he embarked on revamping the Whistleblowler Bill, adding that once completed it will weave itself into the Witness Protection Bill.
Williams added the State Asset Recovery Agency Bill, Witness Protection Bill and the Whistleblower Bill are designed to combat corruption.
Consultations will be held today at the Hotel Pegasus from 9:15 hrs, on the Witness Protection Bill and the Protected Disclosure Bill (Whistleblower Bill). This, Williams said, would ensure that the nation will have an administration within which the allegation of persons being afraid to give evidence is not justifiable.

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