In some international communities, and probably right on our doorsteps, where governments are less mindful about the impact of their laws on the people, it might seem strange that in Anguilla the citizenry demand to have a say in the making of some of the legislation governing their territory.

Usually, the pattern is that draft Bills are published in the Official Gazette for the information and comment of the public, but it is only in recent times, with the drafting of more controversial legislation, that the demand for public involvement and discussion has become so pronounced among the people, even at the grass root level.

The Church, through the Anguilla Christian Council, has also begun to demonstrate its interest on behalf of the populace taking the position, as enunciated by the Rev. H. Clifton Niles, that, for too long, it has remained silent on various issues. A case in point has been the issue of the Proceeds of Crime Bill which local lawyers, financial companies, other businesses and individuals were of the view that some of its provisions were not in their best interest. They had a number of doubts and concerns, notwithstanding that the aim of the draft legislation is to protect the island from financial crimes which often tarnish careless societies.

Though the Attorney General’s Chambers sought to allay some of the fears expressed, it readily acknowledged that no law was perfect and that a number of the comments had much merit. As a result of the discussions with the Bar Association, the Anguilla Financial Services Association and the Anguilla Christian Council, much progress was made in making amendments to the Bill. The result has been that though a very strict piece of legislation, some common grounds of agreement were found to make it a better and just Bill. At the same time it does not offer any comfort for those committing serious offences, although there are mechanisms for court redress for persons who think they have a case to pursue and to seek vindication.

There must be rules of governance in any society and it is not often that many people around the world have an opportunity to interact with those responsible for drafting, or implementing the laws, to consider the provisions and the impact on them. Anguilla is fortunate that, as a small, but very conscious democracy, its people have opportunities to protest against intended laws and either to have them kept in abeyance, like the ill-fated Planning Bill, or satisfactorily amended and refined, like the present Proceeds of Crime Bill has been dealt with.

With that Bill so well debated and polished up, yet retaining its sting for those committing serious offences, the draft legislation, as well as the Financial Services Bill, should have an easy sailing in next week’s House of Assembly. The work of the Opposition has been done on the outside, leaving room only for commendation for those who have made the Proceeds of Crime Bill in particular a better piece of legislation.

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