Around 100 disgruntled people again made the march from Kensington Oval to Independence Square.
This time it was in protest of the Interception of Communications Bill, 2025 or more specifically, a section of it.
Coordinator Marcia Weekes said the main aim was to raise awareness of section 5.2b which dealt with warrantless wiretapping. She said the wording was vague in some areas and there was room for abuse, political or otherwise, adding even journalists were not safe.
Weekes said they were especially serious about this and, while some miscommunication resulted in them having to end the rally early, they would be back next week and would take things as far as they could.
Prohibition of interception
5 (1) Except as provided in this section, a person who intentionally intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunications network commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500 000 dollars or to a term of imprisonment of 7 years or to both.
(2) Notwithstanding any other law, a person does not commit an offence under
this section if
(a) the communication is intercepted in obedience to a warrant issued by a Judge under section 7 or 10;
(b) the communication is intercepted by an authorised officer
(i) in the interest of national security;
(ii) for the prevention or detection of an offence set out in the First Schedule;
(iii) for the purpose of safeguarding the economic well-being of the State; or
(iv) for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of any international mutual assistance agreement . . .
Read full bill: https://www.barbadosparliament.com/uploads/bill_resolution/67c8d11ad66e19dcf24e5438da72b0c9.pdf
