He said the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) was not against
the concept or establishment of the Bill but was concern-ed about
how it would be implemented.
“The Attorney General has enormous powers and these powers
are given to a politician, and not even an elected one. These powers
are too great and enormous.”
He questioned why the role of the Director Public Prosecutions in
section 90 of the Constitution was being ignored.
“The illustrious Attorney General (AG) is someone who we just
do not trust.
“Too much powers are being granted to him.”
AG John Jeremie looked calm throughout Mark’s tirade.
Mark labelled him “Mr. Political Fix It”, which brought
President Linda Baboolal to her feet, telling Mark “not to
go too far”.
But a rebellious Mark replied that it was what town was calling
Jeremie. She again warned him and he in turn warned the ruling party
that “the Bill will come back to haunt you”.
He said the PNM and its ministers might one day end up before the
International Court for certain crimes.
He clashed with Montano over the sale of a Toyota Royal Saloon car
that ended up in the hands of now deceased drug lord Nankissoon
Boodram, also known as Dole Chadee.
Montano said Mark was being irrelevant and while President Baboolal
agreed, Mark asked: “How can I be irrelevant when I am dealing
with ‘retrospectivity’?”
He accused Montano of trying to silence the Opposition.
“You are here to fix your face.
“We are here to remove you.
“We are paid by the taxpayers to expose the government.
“What they believe; that we must come here to be peewats?”
Mark called for “total silence” whenever he rose to
speak to which most of the senators had a hearty laugh.
He continued his charade and referred to an Express article dated
May 8, 2005.
But an annoyed Montano jumped to his feet once again to protest
that the article had nothing to do with the Bill and raised a motion
for Mark not to be heard.
But as soon as President Baboolal was about to put the motion to
the House, Government Business Leader Dr. Lenny Saith suggested
that there should be a five-minute recess.
She agreed and told the sitting that the House was on recess. Mark,
still perturbed by Montano’s protestations, said: “You
want to silence me!
“What wrong with this man?
“You are bribing judges, and you want to silence me!”
But the five-minute break turned into 20 minutes as Baboolal met
with the three bench leaders who included Saith, Mark and Independent
Senator Eastlyn McKenzie who agreed that Mark should continue with
his contribution.
His criticism, though, was aimed at the AG whom he said was a politician
and should not “dangle” in the court of justice.
He said the only person who should have that power is the Director
of Public Prosecutions.
Mark called for a Joint Select Committee to be set up to scrutinise
the Bill, since he did not want it to be undemocratic and draconian.
Attorney General John Jeremie, however, said that the office of
Chief Prosecutor arose out of fear of domestic driven prosecution
and that whenever international law comes it is the Attorney General
that has the power.
“I hope that my little friend here is listening, but of course
he is not.
“Senator Mark is ignoring me.
“When you are dealing with international criminal matters
the DPP is not contacted but someone who can be held accountable.”
Independent Senator Ramesh Deosaran said the Bill was the most remarkable
document he has seen within the last 15 years and recalled instances
of genocide in countries.
He called it a “sophisticated law” and referred to Articles
103 to 106, which dealt with the role of states in enforcement of
sentences of imprisonment.
“We have a death penalty here, but in the ICC there is no
such thing.
“Are we going to abolish it or let it cause an embarrassment
to us in our book?”
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