ATTORNEY GENERAL (AG) Reginald Armour, SC, promised on Tuesday to bring a bill to Parliament to authorise the police to carry out "sting" operations against certain serious crimes like money-laundering, human-trafficking, drug-trafficking and firearm-trafficking.
In the Senate budget debate, he gave an account of past, present and future measures against crime, particularly legislation.
The AG said these efforts were paramount and he distanced himself from opposition prophets of doom and gloom.
He compared Trinidad and Tobago to other places featured on the nightly news, alluding to the Israel/Hamas war.
"The fact of the matter is, the world in which we live is overtaken by violence."
He said TT had liaised with the law enforcement authorities in Miami to provide evidence to legally convict firearm traffickers. As part of Caricom, TT was supporting Mexico's legal challenge to US gun-makers and distributors, the AG added.
Armour said the UN Office on Drugs and Crime is reviewing the Firearms Act towards a comprehensive overhaul. He expected amendments to address aspects such as the 3D printing of firearms, buy-back schemes and the lawful disposal of illicit firearms.
He said Sexual Offences Bill was being refined by round-table talks and would be brought to Parliament, as would a Sexual Harassment Bill.
The AG also promised a Justice of the Peace Bill, to be in Parliament as soon as Thursday.
On rehabilitation and discouraging recidivism (re-offending), he said the goal of the Criminal Records Bill 2022 is to expunge the criminal records of those who meet the set criteria. Reflecting on the Caricom Regional Symposium on Crime and Violence hosted by TT, he said this country was a beacon to the region for improving the criminal justice system.
He said the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act 2023 would end the abuse of the criminal justice system, reduce courtroom backlogs and curb delays in cases. Armour said he had received the final report of Retired Justice Stanley John on the missing file in the $20 million lawsuit by those formerly charged with the murder of Vindra Naipaul-Coolman.
Armour said he was working hard on the Parole Bill and an Evidence Bill to allow for instances of witness anonymity.
Considerable work has been done on the Registrar General's Department, he said.
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