Extradition Treaty to US must be a matter for debate

The first part being the ability of P&R to carry out international agreements without referring the matter to the States Assembly. The second, the debate to extend to the Bailiwick the UK-US Extradition Treaty.

Taking the first part, surely it is only good governance and adherence to democratic principles that the enactment of any new laws, international or otherwise, should be scrutinised by the States Assembly. To leave such a decision to a small group of people cannot be defended if we are to call ourselves a democratic society. To allow decisions to be made by a small group obviously has advantages of ‘getting things done’ speedily. But should not these issues be scrutinised by all of our representatives?

Now, the second part, and arguably the most important issue to come before the States in a very long time, the Extradition Treaty. The broad details of this one-sided treaty between the United Kingdom and the United States should be well known and I need not expand on them here. Suffice it to say that any law that allows the extradition and removal of an islander to a different jurisdiction must warrant serious debate by all of our deputies. Especially to a country that maintains the death penalty.

Therefore, I would ask all deputies to support Deputy Merrett’s requete on both counts. That they vote for more democratic scrutiny and that they vote against the UK-US Extradition Treaty being extended to the Bailiwick.

Finally, something for all of us to ponder. In this, the 75th year of our liberation from tyranny, who can justify enacting a law that allows for a knock on the door, arrest and transportation to a foreign land?

JOHN GILLSON

Les Tagarins,

Les Bas Courtils,

St Saviour’s.