Earl Moxam, Senior Gleaner Writer

Nicholson and Lightbourne

The opposition People's National Party wants the new administration to clearly state whether it intends to abolish the death penalty or take appropriate steps to carry out executions as required by law.

Opposition Spokesman on Justice, Senator A.J. Nicholson, tabled several questions in the Senate yesterday for Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne.

Senator Nicholson wants to know, among other things, when a promised conscience vote in Parliament on the retention of the death penalty will take place.

Another question seeks to elicit from the Government the specific approach that will be taken to carry out death sentences, within the prescribed five-year limit, in the event that the conscience vote is in favour of retaining capital punishment.

Earlier this week, National Security Minister Derrick Smith announced that he had asked for a list of convicted men slated for execution to be made available, so that the necessary steps could be taken to ensure that they begin the appeals process in a timely manner.

Pratt and Morgan obstacle

The Opposition also wants to know whether the Government will follow the example of Barbados and remove the five-year limit imposed by the Pratt and Morgan ruling of the U.K.-based Privy Council.

Several years ago, the Government of Prime Minister Owen Arthur in Barbados passed a constitutional amendment which removed that country from the strictures of the controversial Pratt and Morgan ruling, handed down in 1993 by the Privy Council. It was argued by Barbados and other Caribbean countries that meeting the timetable set by Pratt and Morgan and the subsequent Neville Lewis rulings was impractical.

The PNP had announced its intention to follow the Barbadian example from as far back as 2002, but did not receive the support of the Jamaica Labour Party, then in opposition.

The matter was never taken to Parliament for a vote.

Senator Lightbourne is expected to provide answers to the Opposition's questions in three weeks' time.