The Public Order Act should be either amended or repealed,
United States of America ambassador Robert Jackson has said.
He was speaking to local journalists during a round-table
session at the Regional Fusion and Law Enforcement Centre for Safety and Security
at the Sea (Reflecs 3) on Thursday 3rd April 2014 in morning. “First of all let
me tell you that we have concerns about the Act, as the Act is very
restrictive. We would like to see it amended. We think it’s a move in the wrong
direction because these restrictions are not only anti-democratic but they also
make it difficult for non-governmental organisations and even for international
organisations to work with partners who are doing very valuable work,” said Ambassador
Jackson, the principal deputy assistant officer of the Bureau of African
Affairs in the US Department of State.
Also present during
the round-table session to discuss the current foreign policy of the US and also
to talk about the help the US is bringing to Seychelles were US ambassador to
Seychelles Sharon Villarosa and political officer Maroof Ahmed.
Regarding the human rights report, Ambassador Jackson said:
“We feel that the report is balanced and accurate. The criticism is unfounded
but that does not mean that we are not open for dialogue with the government. I
am prepared to defend it.”
Asked how the US has been engaging positively in Seychelles,
the ambassador answered: “We are providing training for the police and recently
I visited the Law Enforcement Academy in Botswana and soon we will be sending
policemen from Seychelles there. After each training, there is a follow-up and those
who take part are being asked to come back after some months for a proper
follow-up.”
Source: Seyweekly.com
