Anti-Gang Bill 2024 Passes in Lower House

The Anti-Gang Bill 2024 was passed in the Lower House on Friday, introducing a new legal framework designed to crack down on gang-related activities and impose harsher penalties.

Key Provisions

The Bill introduces several key provisions aimed at combating gang-related activities, including:

* Treating minors involved in gangs as adults
* Introducing harsher penalties for gang-related offenses, such as up to 10 years in prison for forming a gang, 15 years for being a gang leader, and 10 years for falsely claiming gang membership to intimidate or gain personal benefits
* Stiffer penalties for recruiting children into gangs, especially near schools and churches

Concerns Raised by Opposition Legislators

During the committee’s sitting, opposition legislators, including Trevor Walker, Sherfield Bowen, and Asot Michael, raised concerns about the Bill. Bowen expressed concern about the term “law enforcement authority,” which gives other agencies and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda the right to arrest. He believes that the power of arrest should only be with the police.

Michael agreed with Bowen and asked why the Immigration and Customs Departments were not part of the law enforcement authority. In response, Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin advised Michael that the Bill was addressing a specific matter relating to gangs and gang-related activities.

Conclusion

The Anti-Gang Bill 2024 aims to combat gang-related activities and impose harsher penalties for those involved. While some opposition legislators have raised concerns about the Bill, it is clear that the government is committed to addressing the issue of gangs in Antigua and Barbuda.

FAQs

* What is the Anti-Gang Bill 2024?
+ The Anti-Gang Bill 2024 is a new legal framework designed to crack down on gang-related activities and impose harsher penalties.
* What are the key provisions of the Bill?
+ The Bill introduces several key provisions, including treating minors involved in gangs as adults, introducing harsher penalties for gang-related offenses, and stiffer penalties for recruiting children into gangs.
* What are the concerns raised by opposition legislators?
+ Opposition legislators have raised concerns about the term “law enforcement authority,” which gives other agencies and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda the right to arrest, and the exclusion of the Immigration and Customs Departments from the law enforcement authority.