The Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches, JUGC, is urging the government to reconsider its decision to defer the introduction of Unexplained Wealth Orders, UWO, in Jamaica.
The group is among several stakeholders in the National Consensus on Crime who have raised concern about the decision, despite several promises by the government to implement it in the country’s legislative framework.
Reverend Newton Dixon, is a representative of the JUGC.
The UWO is a court order used to assist the relevant authorities in investigating and confiscating assets from individuals who are unable to declare whether their wealth was obtained legally.
The government had announced plans to implement the regime as part of its efforts to curb financial crimes.
But in a recent interview with the Gleaner, national security minister, Dr Horace Chang, cited constitutional concerns behind the government’s decision to defer the UWO. He also noted that existing laws are strong enough to address such crimes.
But in a swift response, the group, consisting of 12 stakeholders, argued that such a decision could undermine the fight against corruption.
They also took issue with the government’s proposal to amend the legislation for the Integrity Commission.
Reverend Dixon says the two decisions are troubling.
Reverend Newton Dixon, representative of the JUGC
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