The Human Rights Committee of the Sixth Constitutional Convention dove into the nuances of life and liberty in a session held Wednesday on St. Croix. Their task, as stated by one committee member, was to review the articles found in the fifth version of the proposed V.I. Constitution and suggest a few adjustments.
Members of the committee met in Christiansted to review articles corresponding to the U.S. Bill of Rights. Those members who condensed their review into working documents said they did so for the purpose of discussion.
“These meetings are to start a conversation and get input from delegates,” said Rudel Hodge, Jr., committee co-chair. Committee Chair Stedmann Hodge Jr. joined the session around midday Wednesday.
Among the topics covered were human rights and who they apply to; due process rights; personal privacy rights including government rights to search and seizure; freedom of expression; religious freedom; digital communications; the rights to assemble and petition the government; political and voting rights; free and fair elections; legal rights, criminal justice and economic rights.
Discussions also touched on draft language regarding cultural heritage, environmental protection, government accountability, and special protections for vulnerable groups, such as children and the disabled.
There was also wording on territorial rights, which some committee members called controversial, along with articles proposing codification of rights to education and health care.
Committee members Devin Carrington, Imani Daniel and David Silverman were among those engaged in debate. Daniel proposed expanding the definition of fundamental rights. Carrington said that by the time the Human Rights Committee sat down Wednesday his working group had completed thorough reviews of two sections from the fifth draft.
Further discussions are expected when the committee reconvenes on St. John Saturday at the Legislative Chambers in Cruz Bay at 10 a.m. Click here to join the meeting.
There is also a virtual meeting set for Monday, June 9, starting at 6 p.m. Click here to join the meeting.
All sessions of the Sixth Constitutional Convention are open to the public.
St. Croix Source
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