Privacy rights will be protected, but violence and brutality must be stamped out

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas at Wednesday’s Press Conference

ST. KITTS, AUGUST 19, 2010 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has put criminal elements in the country on notice that violence and brutality must be stamped out.

He told the media at his monthly press conference Wednesday that the proposed Interception of Communications Bill will assist law enforcement in fighting crime as criminals are using cell phones, parcel and courier services and other forms of technology to take what is not theirs.

“They are using these to maim and kill whomever they wish – including, sometimes, ‘the wrong person’; to wreak havoc in homes and neighborhoods across the Federation; they use this technology to lure young girls away from their classrooms and to create bedlam in our hospitals – putting our nurses and our doctors and other medical personnel under undue stress and pressure,” Prime Minister Douglas said.

Dr. Douglas said while his Government will do everything to protect the privacy rights of every man, woman, and child in this country, when the proposed Interception of Communications Bill becomes law, violence and brutality must be stamped out.

“We will therefore fight fire with fire, and technology with technology where crime is concerned. But we will do so within the confines of the laws of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis subject to the keen review and guidance of our courts,” Dr. Douglas said.

The Prime Minister said his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government cannot and will not sit idly by while the criminals who are few run rough-shod over the law-abiding many of the country.

“It is the duty of my Government to protect the innocent – and this we shall do. It is also the duty of the Government to ensure that the rights of this country’s citizens and residents are protected – and this the Interception of Communications Bill most assuredly will do because under the terms of this proposed legislation, it is a High Court Judge – and a High Court Judge, only – who will decide whether or not any particular interception will be allowed,” said Prime Minister Douglas.