Is this Government serious? Are the members collectively attempting to undermine the rights of citizens to seek redress in the court of law?

A bill to amend the Central Bank Act is currently engaging Government's attention.

If passed, it will essentially strip 14,000 people of the following constitutional rights: "the right of the individual to life, liberty, security of the person and enjoyment of property and the right not to be deprived thereof except by due process of law", and "the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law".

What does the Law Association think about this dictatorial position by the Government? A 20-year bond plan at zero interest, for those policyholders with $75,000 and over is neither equitable nor humane.

Many would have settled for a five-seven year plan negotiated in the best interest of everyone. But the writing is on the wall and it seems that not only is the Minister of Finance unbending but the entire Cabinet agrees with him by virtue of this bill receiving Government's attention.

The Central Bank is trying to give the population the impression that it has no complicity in this debacle. It should have prevented the sale of CLICO policies until the statutory fund was up to par.

Attempting to "close the stable after the horses have bolted" does not in any way catapult the Central Bank from zero to hero status.

Andy Jangeesingh

Via e-mail