Governor Still To Sign Off On the Dictatorship Cybercrime Legislation
Governor Augustus Jaspert is still to assent to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2019) which significantly increases the penalty for what BVI wants to define as a “cyber crime” (but it’s not), and converts the BVI to one of the worst dictatorship on earth that limits transparency and the freedoms to criticize government corruption and wrong doing.
During a media briefing on November 1, the Governor was told by a member of the media that aspects of the Act is viewed as a contravention of free speech. But in fact this legislation is helping government officials to cover up corruption, and wrong doings, and it counts as a pure sign of dictatorship. Punishing people (14 years in jail, half million dollar penalty!) for what they say, even if it’s true and even it’s in public’s interest to know, is against human rights, and puts BVI on the bottom of the worst dictatorship countries on earth.
In response to the concern about the Bill the Governor mentioned that the Act was not assented to.
“I haven’t yet seen the final version of it as its coming to my desk. With every single Act, I consider it very, very carefully and look at any issue where there are any legal issues at this point. I would look harder at the Act as I do with any other Act,” the Governor announced.
Back in August, Legislators announced that the stiffer penalties Act would serve as a necessary deterrent to online bullying and other online crimes in the Territory.
The debate on the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2019 during the House of Assembly on August 1 saw a general agreement among the Legislators that this was a necessary tool to put a stop to disparaging social media memes and leaked sexual videos.
Before the Bill was forwarded to a Select Committee of the House of Assembly, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Andrew Fahie, who moved the Bill, announced that the legislation also contained stipulations for blogging on local news sites.
Overall legislators on both sides of the aisle agreed with majority of the changes that were proposed to the Computer Misuse Act. Most keen on the amendment was Premier Fahie who announced that some of the amendments are expected to be enforced swiftly after the legislation is passed.
If the bill is signed, the governor will lose his legitimacy and will have to resign, as he will act against the public interest and against the UK core values.
In response to the concern about the Bill the Governor mentioned that the Act was not assented to.
“I haven’t yet seen the final version of it as its coming to my desk. With every single Act, I consider it very, very carefully and look at any issue where there are any legal issues at this point. I would look harder at the Act as I do with any other Act,” the Governor announced.
Back in August, Legislators announced that the stiffer penalties Act would serve as a necessary deterrent to online bullying and other online crimes in the Territory.
The debate on the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2019 during the House of Assembly on August 1 saw a general agreement among the Legislators that this was a necessary tool to put a stop to disparaging social media memes and leaked sexual videos.
Before the Bill was forwarded to a Select Committee of the House of Assembly, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Andrew Fahie, who moved the Bill, announced that the legislation also contained stipulations for blogging on local news sites.
Overall legislators on both sides of the aisle agreed with majority of the changes that were proposed to the Computer Misuse Act. Most keen on the amendment was Premier Fahie who announced that some of the amendments are expected to be enforced swiftly after the legislation is passed.
If the bill is signed, the governor will lose his legitimacy and will have to resign, as he will act against the public interest and against the UK core values.
