The Senate on Wednesday passed the Interception of Communications Bill, which has a retroactive clause that allows the courts to fine or jail anyone who leaked information intercepted by the Security Intelligence Agency (SIA) over the past years.
The inclusion of that clause is to protect persons such as President George Maxwell Richards, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley and other persons in society who were victims of the illegal activity sanctioned by the previous Manning PNM government.
Senators made that particular amendment during the committee stage of the legislation following 14 hours of debate.
The Bill states that a person who intentionally has in his possession communications intercepted under the Act and who is not authorised to have such information commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
In addition, a person who intentionally has in his possession communications intercepted under this Act and who is not authorised to have such communications and who discloses such communications commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $250,000 and to imprisonment for three years.
Opposition Senator Pennelope Beckles, who was one of the persons subjected to the illegal activity, did not condemn the SIA.
"We must not forget that that landmark case of Dole Chadee, had it not been for wiretapping they would not have been convicted," she noted. Beckles argued that the U.S., Britain and Canada have been able to convict many of their own citizens using information collected by interception.
National Security Minister John Sandy wrapped up the debate saying illegal interception will never again take place under "the whims and fancies" of a political leader.
The inclusion of that clause is to protect persons such as President George Maxwell Richards, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley and other persons in society who were victims of the illegal activity sanctioned by the previous Manning PNM government.
Senators made that particular amendment during the committee stage of the legislation following 14 hours of debate.
The Bill states that a person who intentionally has in his possession communications intercepted under the Act and who is not authorised to have such information commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
In addition, a person who intentionally has in his possession communications intercepted under this Act and who is not authorised to have such communications and who discloses such communications commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $250,000 and to imprisonment for three years.
Opposition Senator Pennelope Beckles, who was one of the persons subjected to the illegal activity, did not condemn the SIA.
"We must not forget that that landmark case of Dole Chadee, had it not been for wiretapping they would not have been convicted," she noted. Beckles argued that the U.S., Britain and Canada have been able to convict many of their own citizens using information collected by interception.
National Security Minister John Sandy wrapped up the debate saying illegal interception will never again take place under "the whims and fancies" of a political leader.
No comments:
Post a Comment