The Terrorism Bill: A matter of concern
published: Tuesday | February 10, 2004
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I HAVE not read the full text of Mr. Bruce Golding's recent address on the terrorism bill at the Fellowship Tabernacle Church. I would be grateful for a copy. However, I find sections of the speech that were reported in the media to be a matter of concern.
It was stated that Mr. Golding believes that Jamaica does not need to jump into a "big-league" game with other countries on terrorism. If this is correct then it is an unfortunate comment because small countries like Jamaica need to be aware of the international implications of terrorism and the extent to which small states with porous borders such as Jamaica can be used as launch pads for terrorist activities.
To believe otherwise is to be naive. I believe that the present Terrorism Bill being debated in Parliament is indeed "draconian" and is in need of serious revision so that fundamental freedoms of the citizenry can be safeguarded. But we must be careful of analyses that seem to not understand the global nature of the terrorist threat.
