JFJ wants more time for public submissions on new national ID bill

The government is being urged to consider two important steps before it proceeds with the new National Identification and Registration Act.

Rodje Malcolm, attorney at law and Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice, believes the time for public submissions is not enough and that the Data Protection Act needs to be in force before the new National Identification and Registration Bill is passed.

The bill was recently tabled and referred to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for deliberations.

Mr Malcolm, speaking Tuesday on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines, declared that, with the deadline for public submissions set for the end of  next month, there will not be enough time to review and make adequate submissions. He wants the period extended.

Mr Malcolm pointed out that the government's formal channels for public education about the new ID law are not yet ready, and this makes the case stronger that more time is needed for submissions.

Attorney-at-law Grace Lindo also cautioned that the Data Protection Act should be in force before the new national identification law is passed so that there's better protection for all citizens in the collection and storage of  data.