• Latest
The Importance Of Making A Proper Will

Are the Proposed Human Rights Constitutional Amendments Rational?

6 years ago

Weather Bulletin: Saturday, 25 June

11 hours ago
AEC statement regarding Covid-19 situation confronting the nation

Statement on 2022 General Elections

15 hours ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 24 June 2022

15 hours ago
NDC announces 7 candidates

Caribbean leaders congratulate Dickon Mitchell on assuming Grenada PM’s office

16 hours ago
National Cleanup Begins Friday

Tropical wave to affect State of Grenada on Sunday

16 hours ago
Supervisor of Elections signs agreement with Chief of OAS Observer team

OAS Electoral Observation Mission reports for Grenada General Elections 2022

1 day ago
NDC wins Grenada’s General Election 2022

General Elections Results 23 June 2022

2 days ago
STAR Intervention Programme brings out best in RGPF

Despite overwhelming success at the polls…A word to the wise!!

2 days ago
OECS Family Launches 195in365 Global Environmental Initiative

OECS Family Launches 195in365 Global Environmental Initiative

2 days ago
NDC announces 7 candidates

OECS Commission congratulates newly elected PM and Government of Grenada

2 days ago
New executive leading the work of the CCG

Statement from the Conference of Churches in Grenada

2 days ago
Prime Minister’s Address: Grenada’s preparation for Covid-19

Former PM speaks with PM-elect

2 days ago
NOW Grenada
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Are the Proposed Human Rights Constitutional Amendments Rational?

This story was posted 6 years ago
3 February 2016
in OPINION/COMMENTARY
3 min. read
Sir Lawrence A Joseph
Share

by Dr Lawrence A Joseph

42 years ago on 7 February 1974, Grenada’s Constitution became effective. The present exercise of reviewing the Constitution therefore with a view of identifying areas which may need upgrading is long overdue. It is most significant therefore that on the 4 December 2015, six Constitution Amendment Bills were laid in the House of Representatives for First Reading. Perhaps the most significant Bill amongst the cluster is the one entitled: Constitution of Grenada (Rights and Freedoms) (Amendment) Bill 2015. This Bill seeks to significantly improve fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, lays down the constitutional basis for the recognition of gender equality in the state and sets out general guidelines as to how the state should be governed.

New areas of fundamental rights and freedoms which are being proposed include: equal rights for persons whether born in wedlock or out of wedlock; the right of a child up to 16 years of age to have access to publicly funded primary school education; the right of a child with a disability up to 18 years of age to have access to special education in accordance with his or her needs; the right of a person who is arrested or detained to have access to a lawyer of his or her choice without delay; the protection for intellectual property which includes works of creation of an intellectual, artistic or cultural nature (inclusive of the works of calypsonians) whether in word, in picture, in drawing or in any other form of presentation.

The Bill also proposes to widen the grounds of discrimination which are to be constitutionally prohibited for the benefit and protection of individuals within the society. In this regard, the usual discriminating words of “race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex” are to be deleted and the words “colour, creed, disability, ethnicity, language, place of birth, national or social origin, political opinions, race, religion, sex or social class” are to be substituted.

A most revolutionary section of the Bill relates to gender equality. The proposed constitutional amendments in this area are novel to the entire Caribbean. It is being proposed that both men and women must be entitled to equal rights and status in all spheres of life, especially in economic, educational, political, civic and social activities; that both men and women must be entitled to equal access to academic, vocational and professional training, to equal opportunities in employment and promotion, to equal remuneration for work of equal value and to equal access to justice; that both men and women must have equal opportunities to be elected or appointed to public office and to be eligible for appointment to positions of decision-making bodies at all levels of the society; and that both men and women must have the right to legal protection, including just and effective remedies, against domestic violence, sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

Gender is defined as the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between male and female — gender equality is being stated as reflecting the view that men and women should receive equal treatment and should not be discriminated against based on gender.

The Bill also proposes new and revolutionary sections which deal with establishing directive principles which seek to give general policy guidelines to the state. These policy guidelines refer to the duty of the state to protect the environment; to deal with climate change and other natural disasters; to aim at enhancing the supply of food, water and health facilities, and to exercise fiscal responsibility. The guidelines also seek to protect children generally and persons who are duly certified as being challenged physically, visually, aurally and or mentally. It is being proposed that these persons have a right to an enabling environment to develop their talents so that they may contribute to national development. Whilst these guidelines by themselves are not enforceable in a court of law, parliament may legislate to make them so.

As may be garnered from the above discussions the Bill pertaining to human rights and freedoms is far-reaching and definitely enhances the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals. The Bill seems to be most rational. It will be most difficult to contemplate that any rational thinking person will say “NO” to this Bill on Referendum day.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.
Tags: constitutiondiscriminationeducationequalitygenderhuman rightsindependencelawrence josephreferendumreform
Next Post
Secret Radio: Don’t tell anyone

Secret Radio: Don’t tell anyone

[bsa_pro_ad_space id=9 crop=”no” max_width=300]

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright NOW Grenada

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.