Seaga bats for human rights

Former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga, is advocating for the entrenchment of the Charter of Human Rights in the Constitution to better protect the civil liberty of Jamaicans.



The entrenchment would make it more difficult to change the charter, as any amendment would require a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament or a referendum.



The Charter of Rights, which will replace chapter three of the Jamaican Constitution, has been languishing in parliament for more than 16 years.



Mr. Seaga believes the adoption of the Charter of Rights would lead to fairer treatment of all Jamaicans and better security of fundamental rights.



Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, addressing a lecture at the Norman Manley Law School at the University of the West Indies, Mona last evening.



He emphasised that the entrenchment of the Charter of Rights will mean nothing if it cannot be enforced.



Referring to proposal he made during his contribution to the 1993 Budget Debate, Mr. Seaga said an advocate general should be appointed to act as a prosecutor in circumstances where state agents abuse their power.