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SJB First 100 Days.pdf

A Throne Speech commitment by the Government to introduce legislation to penalise “revenge porn“ attacks tackled a priority concern listed by a pressure group.

Social Justice Bermuda outlined key subjects that it hoped would be tackled in the first 100 days of Parliament before the Throne Speech was delivered last Friday.

John Rankin, the Governor, said in the speech: “Keyboards and phones have become weaponised, and a new methodology of assault is occasioned by the misuse of the internet and the 21st century’s advanced connectivity.

“The Government will introduce a Bill to address ’revenge porn’, and online ’assaults’, ensuring that the criminal justice system expands its reach to meet such cyber-offences and to protect victims of these modern assaults.”

The SJB document included a reference to the Progressive Labour Party’s 2020 platform pledge to “introduce sexual exploitation laws, including revenge porn protection laws”.

SJB said: “We call for introduction of legislation to protect against modern forms of sexual harassment and abuse via electronic means, including the introduction of ’revenge porn’ legislation.”

Mr Rankin, who delivered the speech on behalf of the Government, said that the Cannabis (Licensing and Regulations) Act would be among the Bills put forward for consideration in the new legislative session.

SJB highlighted that the legislation was also a priority, but asked for amendments.

The proposed changes included: “People with previous non-violent cannabis related offences should be eligible for deferred licence fees for up to one year.

“Revenue from cannabis taxation must be reinvested into the communities most impacted by the draconian prohibition of cannabis.”

Another suggested amendment was to require “compound level testing to ensure that cannabis consumers are aware of the levels of cannabinoids and pesticides in cannabis plants and plant-based products”.

SJB said it also hoped that a PLP platform commitment to introduce a tree-planting drive would be amended to “focus solely” on food-producing trees on public and private land “so as to be a meaningful contribution to the goal of food security for every Bermudian”.

*To read Social Justice Bermuda’s Throne Speech Update: First Hundred Days in full, click on the PDF link under “Related Media”.