TIRL condemns new amendments

The Thusian Institute for Religious Liberty (TIRL) Inc. has expressed strong condemnation of the Government’s latest proposal to amend the Representation of the People’s Act and the Criminal Procedure Code.{{more}}

“We view this move as against the inalienable rights of the people who should be able to seek redress and receive justice for both civil and criminal acts without hindrance and delay,” a release from the organization said.

“We consider such amendments deliberate attempts to close a very important avenue through which persons can seek redress for false statements made against them during a general election period. The Representation of the People Act as it stands reinforces the value of truthfulness during an election season and seeks to protect our democratic right to vote based on the truth. The serious penalties enshrined therein send a clear message to politicians that the offices to which they aspire require moral uprightness in behavior.

“We also consider the amendment to the Criminal Code to be an attempt to frustrate the people, with the intention to deny justice to those persons who bring charges against Government officials and ministers. We believe that this move is to further strengthen the powers of the DPP without justifiable reasons at the expense of justice to Vincentians,” the release said.

In the release, TIRL called upon Vincentians to join them on Thursday, January 20, 2011, “in front of the court house in publicly protesting this wrong act.

Your Rights and Freedoms are God-given and inalienable. Stand up and boldly defend them with the fear of God in your hearts!” the release said.