‘I want to find the person who drafted the Police Bill!’- Hon Fraser
Senior Legislator in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) says although he is a legislator and should be making laws, with regards to the controversial Police Bill 2023, he is looking for the person who drafted the bill.
Speaking during a Community meeting held at Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay on Thursday, February 16, 2023, Hon Fraser is highlighting several concerns with the proposed legislation, indicated that he does not know who drafted the legislation.
“The more I look at the bill, the more I want to find the person who draft the bill, because we can't find the people who draft the bill.”
He reminded that the people of the VI elected 13 legislators to make laws to govern the territory, however, legislators are reduced to just passing bills that are already drafted.
Speaking during a Community meeting held
at Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay on Thursday,
February 16, 2023, Hon Fraser is highlighting several concerns with the
proposed legislation indicated that he does not know who drafted the
legislation.
Legislators don't draft laws - Hon Fraser
“But what's funny about this whole thing is that the legislators don't draft the bills, and that's unfortunate. These things show up and we are expected to pass them,” he said.
He said however if the people of the VI don’t want legislators to pass a bill, they still have the power to say no to any proposed legislation.
During his presentation, Hon Fraser highlighted concerns regarding no-warrant access to the property, DNA sampling, giving the police powers to intercept communication between clients & lawyers, and the protection of the right to silence.
“I'm not blaming the police... I'm blaming the people who draft the law and try to give it to us the pass,” told the people at the community meetings regarding the proposed amendments in the bill.
