Some New Laws Accepted ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007

The upcoming cricket world cup 2007 is introducing many new things in order to be held without having any unwanted thing. Recently four new laws related to travel and security, have been accepted at the legislation ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. The laws are specially submitted for acceptance in order to have more flexible law for travel and to make a strong security. Stabroke news reported:

“The bills, which were laid in parliament for the first time and had their second reading, debate and passage at yesterday's sitting of the National Assembly, were the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2007, Caribbean Com-munity Special Visa Agreement Bill 2007, Pre-Clearance (ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007) Bill 2007 and the Customs (Amendment) Bill 2007.

Shortly after the passage of the bills they were assented to by Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who is performing the functions of President. The single domestic space among ten Caricom member states to facilitate Cricket World Cup 2007 comes into being from today.

n general the Immigration Amendment Act makes provisions for the introduction of the Advanced Passenger Information (API) system. It also makes it obligatory on the part of the master of any vessel, whether aircraft or ship, arriving at any place in Guyana to transmit passenger information to immigration authorities in Guyana within the time specified.

Failure to transmit the information required or transmitting incomplete or false information is an offence and is liable to a fine of $20 million.

While PNCR-1G MP Basil Williams described the fine as being "excessive and arbitrary", Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee explained that it was meant to be a deterrent and was in keeping with the fines set out in the sunset legislation passed in November last year.

The Caricom Special Visa Agreement Act provides for special visas to facilitate travel to host venues from February 1 to May 15, 2007 after which they become invalid.

The Act gives legal effect to the Caricom Special Visa Agreement which came into force on December 12, 2006. The agreement provided for state parties to adopt a common policy on the arrangements for a Caricom special visa and the harmonisation of policies on the Caricom Special Visa.

In view of the volume of passengers anticipated for CWC 2007, the pre-clearance of passengers, goods and aircraft crew by another state's immigration, customs and public health, food inspection and plant and animal health authorities will facilitate travel between the countries who are parties to the agreement. Penalties under the pre-clearance laws may be enforced by pre-clearance officers in Guyana but the local authorities reserve the right to enforce laws in the pre-clearance area.

The Customs (Amend-ment) Bill 2007 was presented by Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh. This law makes provision for the Minister of Finance to make regulations requiring any master of an aircraft or ship expected to arrive in Guyana or expected to depart from Guyana to furnish advance information relating to any passenger or cargo or both on board such craft in the form and manner as may be provided in the regulations.”

The laws seem to be very effective for the tournament but the success of these laws lie behind those who will enforce the laws. I hope the laws will have good impact on this biggest stag of world cricket.