The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade will be introducing an online portal for the registration of Jamaican nationals who are travelling overseas for short-term stays. The portal, to be up soon, will establish a database on Jamaicans’ overseas travel and assist in strengthening the country’s capacity for an effective response in emergency situations. Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon....

A two-week gun amnesty will take effect on Saturday, November 5, following the approval of the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) (Firearms Amnesty) Order 2022 by the Senate, today (November 4). The amnesty is slated to end midnight on Saturday, November 19. The Order, which will facilitate the amnesty, was moved by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic...

Government Senator, Charles Sinclair, is calling for the revision and strengthening of the country’s antiquated public order legislation. “It is my view that over the decades, legislation, particularly those which address public order issues, have not been adequately reviewed, enhanced and enforced. Our public order legislation, for whatever reason, have been left behind and we need to review them, enhance...

The Senate, on Friday (October 28), approved the appointment of a Special Select Committee to review the Bail Act, 2022. The legislation, which will reform the bail framework in the criminal justice system, comprises 24 Clauses and four schedules. It will repeal and replace the existing Act of 2000. Committee members from the Upper House are Minister of State in...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (September 27), approved the amendments made to the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, by the Senate. The Bill establishes a dual regime, distinguishing between prohibited weapons or unregulated firearms and activities connected thereto, and firearms that are duly authorised or registered. In his remarks, Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang,...

The Senate, on Thursday (September 22), paid tribute to the late former Clerk to the Houses of Parliament, Edley Lopez Deans, CD, JP, who died on August 27. Leading the tributes, President of the Upper House, Senator the Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson, said Mr. Deans had a long and full career in the Parliament, and carried out his duties in an...

Members of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) observed a minute’s silence on Tuesday (September 13) in memory of the United Kingdom’s (UK) late Monarch, Her Majesty, The Queen. Buckingham Palace announced that The Queen demised peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8. She was 96 years old. “We will start Council by observing a minute of silence...