Press Release: Security Measures for the sitting of National Assembly for April 9, 2013

Please be informed that for the sitting of the National Assembly on Tuesday 9th April 2013, The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force will be implementing certain changes to improve security at Government Headquarters, National Assembly, and its environs.

Some of these changes are likely to disrupt the normal day to day business of individuals; such will include the diversion of the Traffic Flow within the precincts of Government Headquarters. To this end; No vehicular traffic will be permitted to flow Southwards on Church Street beyond Central Street. Persons are also advised that no unlawful assembly of persons in the precincts of Government Headquarters will be permitted, and further, the general public is informed of the following offences in relation to the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (POWERS and PRIVILEGES) ACT, CHAPTER 2.04

Section 8; Offences relating to admittance to the National Assembly
Any person who, being a stranger,

(a) Enters or attempts to enter the Chamber or the precincts of the National Assembly in contravention of any order of the Speaker;

(b) Fails or refuses to withdraw from the Chamber or the precincts of the National Assembly when ordered to withdraw therefrom by the Speaker; or

(c) Contravenes any of the Standing Orders or any order made by the Speaker under section 6 relating to the admission of strangers, commits an offence and shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three (3) months or both

Section 9; Attempted intimidation of National Assembly or any committee

(1) If any persons to the number of twelve or more shall come in a riotous, tumultuous or disorderly manner to the Chamber or the precincts of the National Assembly while the National Assembly or any committee is sitting in order either to hinder or to promote the passing of any bill, resolution, or other matter pending before the National Assembly or such committee, they each commit an offence and shall, on summary conviction, each be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500.00) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months or both.

(2) If any person shall incite any other persons to come in a riotous, tumultuous or disorderly manner to the Chamber or the precincts of the National Assembly while the National Assembly or any committee is sitting in order either to hinder or to promote the passing of any bill, resolution or other matter pending before the National Assembly or such committee, he or she commits an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars (1500.00), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months, or both.

Section 10; Other offences

Any person who

(b) assaults, obstructs, molests or insults any member coming to, being within, or going from the Chamber or the precincts of the National Assembly, or endeavors to compel any member by force, insult or menace to declare himself or herself in favour of or against any proposition or matter pending or expected to be brought before the National Assembly or any committee;

(c) assaults, interferes with, molests, hinders, resists, obstructs or insults any officer of the National Assembly while in the execution of his or her duty, or assaults, obstructs, molests or insults any officer of the National Assembly on his or her way to or from the National Assembly, knowing him or her to be such officer;

(d) Creates or joins in any disturbance which interrupts or is likely to interrupt the proceedings of the National Assembly or any committee while the National Assembly or such committee is sitting;

(h) Inflicts or threatens to inflict harm in body or estate upon any member or officer of the National Assembly with intent to influence him or her in his or her conduct as such member or officer;

(i) Molests any member or officer of the National Assembly on account of his or her conduct as such member or officer; commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three
(3) months or both.

Persons who will be attending the sitting of the National Assembly, and the General Public are encouraged to be guided accordingly.

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