PMQT: Temporary Charges Set to Disappear and Establishment of a Constitutional Review Commission Announced by Ramgoolam

During the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) on Tuesday, October 7, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced that temporary charges will soon be abolished. Attorney General Gavin Glover is currently working on legislation to establish a Constitutional Review Commission.

The Prime Minister addressed a query from journalist Narain Jasodanand of Scoop.mu, clarifying that on August 29, the officer in charge of the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC) reported to the Central Criminal Investigation Department regarding an article published on Scoop.mu. Following this, on September 11, Tevin Sithanen, CEO of Elysium Capital, filed a complaint over online publications deemed defamatory. Both cases are being treated as violations of the ICT Act.

Ramgoolam pointed out that officers obtained a search warrant without informing the Commissioner of Police. He reaffirmed his commitment to human rights and ordered an investigation into the police intervention that resulted in the transfer of six officers. In response to a follow-up question, he indicated that the temporary charges currently existing in law are set to be eliminated.

The government chief also announced that Glover is already working on the Constitutional Review Commission, which will be tasked with proposing significant reforms, including a revision of the electoral system and the introduction of new generation rights related to the environment, technology, health, education, and the rights of nature. Additionally, comprehensive legislation on political party funding is expected to ensure transparency and fairness in elections.