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AMIDST calls by the Opposition for the pepper spray legislation to be brought and passed in Parliament to give more protection to women, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi is telling the UNC that violence against women is much more than pepper spray.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on the UNC's virtual platform meeting on Monday, renewed her call for the legislation following the death of 96-year-old Utilda Joseph who was strangled at her Quarry Village, Siparia home.
Later in the meeting, Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein asked how many more must die and go missing before Government legalises pepper spray and other non-lethal weapons.
Speaking with Newsday on Friday, Al-Rawi said the Finance and General Purposes sub-committee has been considering particulars of the pepper spray legislation and Cabinet will soon be invited to finalise it.
In February, following the uproar over the murder of Andrea Bharrat, Al-Rawi said pepper spray legislation had the approval of the National Security Council.
Hosein also stated at the UNC meeting on Monday, “The Prime Minister stated the matter is being treated with priority and regulations will be brought to Parliament for approval...we are still waiting. I wish the Government will work as expediently to protect our girls and women as they did when they brought laws to decriminalise marijuana and gut the Procurement Act.”
Asked about this, Al-Rawi said on Friday, “I would just invite the young MP to demonstrate some political maturity and intellect because anybody who is familiar with the criminal justice system would tell you that violence against women is much more than pepper spray legislation.
“It is this MP Saddam Hosein who opposed the bail legislation, interception of communication legislation, witness anonymity legislation, follow the money laws, the heart and soul of which protect women from the monsters who are walking amongst us.”
“So, Hosein’s contribution is also immature because while this Government is on record as promoting pepper spray as part of the weaponry in the fight against gender-based violence, in particular, it is the UNC that stood against the abolition of child marriages where thousands of girls were demonstrated to be put through marital rape due to disadvantageous circumstances.”
“We are on record as having done more for criminal justice and the fight against gender-based violence in particular,” Al-Rawi said.
The post AG: Tackling gender-based violence is more than just pepper spray law appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.