June 8 hearing for NIDS court battle

The Supreme Court is to hear on June 8, the claim brought by People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary Julian Robinson challenging the National Identification and Registration Act 2017 (NIDS).

The Opposition has insisted that sections of the Act, passed in the Houses of Parliament last year, breach several rights guaranteed under the constitution.

In his application, Robinson is seeking a declaration from the court that the particular sections of the Act are null and void and should be struck down.

This morning, Robinson told senior editors that the Government had initially described NIDS as an identification initiative, but it is now apparently a national security measure.

He insisted that the Opposition supports a national ID system but maintains that it must protect the rights of the people and a responsible opposition has an obligation to uphold the law.

“We are not obstructionist,” Robinson said in reference to claims by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Yesterday, JLP general secretary Dr Horace Chang issued a statement saying the Opposition was continuing its attempts to undermine NIDS.

“History won't absolve them for blocking the progress of the Jamaican people,” Chang said.

“We, as a country, have been talking about this for almost 40 years. The PNP even tabled a bill in 2002 that is very similar to the one just passed. Many of the current provisions that they now seek to undermine came out of discussions with them," said Chang, who is also the National Security Minister.

Constitutional rights breached by NIDS – PNP

1. The right to security of the person.
2. The right to equality before the law.
3. The right to privacy.
4. The right to a passport.
5. The right to protection of property rights.
6. The right to due process.

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