'No court, no interception' – Anti-Spy Bill campaigners insist

Campaigners against the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages Bill say key aspects of the proposed law remain problematic despite government’s decision to amend controversial provisions.

Private legal practitioner Samson Lardi Anyenini, who petitioned Parliament to consider aspects of the law that infringe on citizens right to privacy among others, says government must not be in a haste to bring back the bill to Parliament.

“My demand, which I believe is a demand that other people subscribe to, in short was that ‘No Court, No interception,’ says Mr Anyenini.

The “Spy Bill” as it is called, when passed will grant access to security agencies to listen in on private conversations of Ghanaians with the intention of safeguarding the security of the State and fighting crime.

However, campaigners against the proposed law say there are several existing laws that can help with fighting crime.

Samson Lardi Anyenini
They cite the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism, Narcotic Drugs, Electronic Communications, Data Protection, Economic and Organised Crime Office, and Security and Intelligence Agencies Acts as good laws help security agencies fight crime.

Other anti-Spy Bill campaigners have also said key provisions in the bill, particularly clause 4(3) and (4) of the Bill, which allows the National Security Coordinator to orally authorize interceptions for 48 hours without any court order or warrant should be removed from the current bill.

Government on Thursday withdrew the controversial bill from Parliament with intentions to bring it back after broader stakeholder consultation.

Deputy Interior Minister, James Agalga, said Saturday on Joy FM/Multi TV news analysis programme, Newsfile, that the amended bill will ensure that the National Security Coordinator makes a written request for interception of communication messages before it can be carried-out.

However, Mr Anyenini says government must proceed cautiously with its intention to pass the bill.

“Best practice elsewhere it is not all the time that a court warrant is required before the interception. In Ghana I know for a fact that the systems don’t work so going to pick those laws and come to transplant them here is a difficulty,” he said.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN