The Antigua and Barbuda government is preparing a broad package of new legislation targeting child abuse, workplace violence, electronic crimes and public safety as part of its legislative agenda for the incoming parliamentary session.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced Thursday at the post-Cabinet briefing that Attorney General Sir Steadroy "Cutie" Benjamin formally presented a slate of proposed bills to Cabinet spanning multiple sectors. The measures are expected to be debated during upcoming parliamentary sittings as the government moves to strengthen governance, modernise legislation and expand protections for vulnerable groups.
"Among the measures to be tabled are several critical bills on the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Information and Labor," Merchant said.
The proposed legislation includes reforms affecting policing, fire and rescue services, forensic services and electronic crimes. Amendments to laws dealing with sexual offences, plea negotiations, workplace violence and harassment are also expected to come before Parliament.
The legislative push is directly linked to growing concerns over abuse cases affecting women and children. During the question-and-answer segment of the briefing, Merchant revealed that the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation handles more than 50 weekly interventions involving abused or neglected children, in addition to numerous cases involving abused women.
Cabinet was alarmed by the statistics presented by the ministry, Merchant said, prompting urgent action both through new legislation and the planned establishment of a National Safe Haven for women and children.
Additional legislation addressing vagrancy issues is also being prepared, Merchant disclosed.
The government described the legislative agenda as reflecting a "whole-of-government approach" to addressing emerging national challenges while improving institutional effectiveness and public protection.
Parliament is scheduled to convene next week for the opening of the new parliamentary session, following April's general election.
