Boats clamp too tough say MPs.Byline: MOHAMMED AL A'ALI MPs yesterday rejected jail sentences for boat owners who ignore safety rules, arguing they were too tough. The legislation was drawn up by the Shura Council
The Shura Council (Arabic: Majilis Al-Shura مجلس الشورى) is the upper house of Egyptian bicameral Parliament. in the wake of the Al Dana tragedy, in which 58 people died when a modified dhow dhow One- or two-masted Arab sailing vessel, usually with lateen rigging (slanting, triangular sails), common on the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. On the larger types, called baggalas and booms, the mainsail is considerably bigger than the mizzensail. capsized in March 2006. Members of the Shura Council want people jailed for flouting safety rules or failing to register their boats, but MPs yesterday claimed the proposed legislation was heavy handed and would "punish pun·ish v. pun·ished, pun·ish·ing, pun·ish·es v.tr. 1. To subject to a penalty for an offense, sin, or fault. 2. To inflict a penalty for (an offense). 3. the poor twice". They argued that fines were sufficient for boat owners whose vessels were unsafe or fly the Bahraini flag without being registered with authorities. "We want those who violate boat registration and safety requirements to be punished pun·ish v. pun·ished, pun·ish·ing, pun·ish·es v.tr. 1. To subject to a penalty for an offense, sin, or fault. 2. To inflict a penalty for (an offense). 3. , but punishing them with jail sentences is ridiculous - a fine is enough," legislative and legal affairs committee chairman Khalil Al Marzooq said during parliament's weekly session yesterday. "I acknowledge that cheating the Coastguard is wrong, but a fine seems to be enough in the flag case - as well as having the boat grounded until requirements are fulfilled ful·fill also ful·fil tr.v. ful·filled, ful·fill·ing, ful·fills also ful·fils 1. To bring into actuality; effect: fulfilled their promises. 2. . "In the case of safety requirements, grounding the boat would be enough until safety equipment is installed, without fines being imposed." He argued most offenders would be poor fishermen who he claimed could barely feed their families and said it would be inhumane in·hu·mane adj. Lacking pity or compassion. in  hu·mane ly adv. to jail
them for being late with their registration fees.
"We would be punishing the poor twice," said Mr Al Marzooq. "We are here speaking about poor fishermen, who can barely buy Arabic bread from the bakery, so it is wrong to put them in jail for being late to pay fees. "Fining them after three or four months of not paying would be just, considering they would be given a chance to pay, and if they fail then they should be punished like anyone else." MPs were also unhappy that the sizes of fines included in the law were not presented to parliament. "Without the chart included by the government, even if they say that the rates are fixed, the law becomes invalid," claimed Mr Al Marzooq. "Anyone can come tomorrow and tell us that the law stipulates a fee, but it is never mentioned how much. "A ministerial Done under the direction of a supervisor; not involving discretion or policymaking. Ministerial describes an act or a function that conforms to an instruction or a prescribed procedure. It connotes obedience. decision is not enough considering that the National Assembly is the only authority giving permission to introduce any fee or tax." MPs amended one article in the law, reducing the penalty for boat owners who do not register their vessels on time or who ignore Coastguard warnings not to use their boat to just BD100. The original penalty contained in the law was six months in prison and fines of up to BD300. However, discussions were postponed on two other articles - one that included jail sentences of up to a year and fines of BD500 for owners whose boats fly the Bahraini flag without being registered. The second included a four-month prison term and a fine of BD200 for ignoring safety requirements. However, Minister of State for Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Abdulaziz Al Fadhel responded by claiming all parliaments in the world allow the government to determine the size of fees. Meanwhile, Interior Ministry officials at yesterday's session told MPs that scrapping jail sentences would only encourage boat owners to breach the law. They also gave the example of road vehicles and drivers receiving jail sentences for causing serious accidents. alaali@gdn.com.bh Copyright 2009 Gulf Daily News Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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