BVI News

Gov’t promises Witness Anonymity law yet again

The government has announced plans to introduce new legislation to protect witnesses in criminal cases. 

Governor Daniel Pruce announced the proposed Witness Anonymity law during the recent Speech from the Throne address, a move seen as a major step in the fight against serious crime.

The new law will allow courts to issue witness anonymity orders to safeguard individuals involved in criminal proceedings.

“This will ensure the protection of witnesses and the preservation of their rights by the provision for a court to make a witness anonymity order to protect the safety of the witness, prevent damage to property, and prevent actual harm to the public interest,” Governor Pruce said.

The Governor shared that the initiative is part of the government’s effort to restore public trust in the justice system and combat rising crime rates. Public confidence in law enforcement has long been an issue of concern, with previous Police Commissioner Michael Matthews disclosing that he was shocked to learn that there was mistrust even amongst ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

Witness intimidation and safety concerns often discourage individuals from coming forward, hindering the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.

The Governor highlighted that this legislation is not just a protective measure but also an essential tool for law enforcement. “This legislation will be an invaluable tool in assisting with combating serious crime,” he stated. By ensuring the safety and anonymity of witnesses, the law aims to encourage more people to come forward with crucial information without fear of personal harm or retribution.

Long promised

Witness protection legislation was proposed as far back as 2018 under the NDP administration. However, despite assurances in Throne Speeches delivered by three governors, the legislation has not been brought before the House of Assembly.

Incidents of witness intimidation underscore the need for such legislation. In October 2019, a St Lucia national residing in Virgin Gorda was charged with perverting the course of justice after allegedly threatening to kill a man who testified in his friend’s trial. The accused was later granted bail with conditions, including no contact with the complainant.

In June 2021, a witness in a murder case was placed into protective custody after being approached by a private investigator hired on behalf of the accused. The court denied bail to the accused, citing his violent record and the potential risk of interfering with the administration of justice.

The introduction of this law comes amid broader discussions about addressing crime and improving the judicial process in the BVI. These measures include drafting a new Sexual Offences Bill and amendments to the Magistrate’s Code of Procedure to modernise the legal framework.

 

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6 Comments

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  1. Long Overdue legislation. says:

    This legislation should have been brought before the House of Assembly from the very first time it was spoken about. 3 governors prior, and nothing.

    The obvious questions are:

    1. Why was this legislation not brought before the House of Assembly in the past?, and

    2. Will this legislation finally be brought before the House of Assembly this time around.

    Clearly, this legislation is needed given the realities of our time. Let’s hope it gets taken care of this time around and enacted in to law.

  2. ANONYMITY YOU SAY? says:

    That is a word with no meaning with it comes to BVI and it’s people. Very little, if anything at all is confidential. Somebody going always talk. If they don’t talk it today, they going talk tomorrow for the right price.

    People do not give information for fear of their own lives because those who we should trust sit at the same dinner table with the criminals.

  3. Anonymity says:

    is impossible in the BVI because of the small population. If you are a witness for the prosecution in a BVI criminal trial you need to leave the BVI and re locate to any place where the population is at least a million persons. Puerto Rico for example.

    • To anonimity says:

      Mehson, once somebody know where a person is in witness protection, somebody else going know. When ah tell you these people got a problem with keeping their mouth shut, oath of secrecy or not, they going spill sometime, somehow. Its imposible for critical information not to leak.

      If I go hospital now and just tell them I transgender, they going tell somebody

  4. Yappers says:

    When individuals start getting sued or have major consequences for breach of confidentiality they might reconsider.

  5. cool says:

    Island a lil small and some of yall friends and family with everybody… then we got the issue of yall hiring corrupt cops. yes the crime record clean but chk these people friends and associates deh man

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