Amend death sentence, buggery laws

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing this letter with reference to the article, Malahoo Forte wants copies of constitution placed in the schools, published in The Gleaner on July 26.

I concur with her proposal when the charter is completely amended.

However, the general saving clause in the Charter (Amendment) Act, 2011 should be removed by Parliament, and nothing can replace teaching civics in schools. So, I humbly request that the government reinstate teaching civics in the schools.

In regard to the constitution, the laws related to mandatory death sentence for conviction of murder, buggery and abortion laws need to be amended by Parliament.

In 2019, both houses of Barbados Parliament abolished the death penalty, which was a saving law clause. Jamaica still has mandatory death penalty on the statute books and on “hold”.

Canada abolished the death penalty they inherited from the French and the British. On December, 13, 2022, Barbados High Court struck down ‘buggery’ and ‘indecency’ laws. In 2003, the offence of buggery was formally removed from the legislation of England and Wales, although by then it was only prosecuted if it were non-consensual or took place in public.

In The Bahamas, consensual same-sex activity is legal. In the 2013 Commonwealth summit, Heads of Government meeting, it was reported, “Homosexuality illegal in 41 out of 58 Commonwealth countries.” There are ongoing discussions in these countries to abolish buggery laws.

CARGILL KELLY