Crawford concerned NIDS could raise issue for people from stigmatised communities

 

Opposition Senator Damion Crawford has said some Jamaicans might avoid being enrolled in the National Identification System (NIDS) if their addresses are readily available to all who access their identification cards.

 

He made the comment as the Senate debated the National Identification and Registration Act, which will establish the NIDS.

 

Senator Crawford noted that at present, many Jamaicans do not state their addresses on job applications because of fear of discrimination. 

 

"Because of our innate prejudice that we grew up with, and because of our assumption of communities and because of what I've just explained, that risk is associated they might be treated unfairly. I know many people who don't put Canterbury. I know many people who don't put Tivoli Gardens, who don't put Arnett Gardens, and they might avoid the card if they feel that they don't have that ability to not bear the negatives of risk," he reasoned. 

 

His opposition colleague, Senator Sophia Frazer-Binns, suggested the inclusion of aliases on the National Identification Card.

 

Senator Frazer-Binns noted that many persons' aliases are more well-known than their real names. 

 

"The fact is, almost every Jamaican have an alias and people generally would know you by name. So, Senator Morris will tell you that for example, on campus, our colleagues on campus with us at a time, we don't even know their first name. But if you ask us their Hall name, we can tell you," she asserted. 

 

Debate on the Bill is continuing in the Senate.

 

The Bill has already been passed in the House of Representatives.

 

The updated legislation, incorporating changes made after consultations, was tabled in July.

 

The law was originally passed in 2017 but was later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, which took issue with some of the information required and the mandatory enrolment provision.