Maha Sabha writes AG

In a pre-action protocol letter, dated June 13, attorney Asaf Hosein asked for certain information from the Office of the Attorney General (AG) relative to the passage of the legislation.

On Friday, 35 Government and Opposition MPs voted in favour of the legislation which first went to Parliament last December and has been the focus of extensive debate.

Hosein has asked for copies of any or all policy statements of Cabinet and the Ministry of the AG and Ministry of Gender and Youth Affairs; copies of all documents or opinions which were provided to the Office of the AG, during the public consultation with stakeholders.

These include: copies of legal advice received in relation to the constitutionality and lawfulness of the bill; copies of all opinions which the AG relied on to remove the threefifths majority clause from the bill; copies of the most detailed breakdown of any statistics concerning marriages of any person under the age of 18 years during the past 25 years.

copies of the full texts of each speech made before any group, including radio and television interviews, concerning marriage of any person under the age of 18.

copies of any study prepared or issued by any source, inclusive of the Children’s Authority, any executive, judicial, legislative or other governmental agency or any private foundation or other private individual or organisation.

copies of any statement written or delivered by any member of the public favouring, opposing or in any way commenting on the bill.

“My client has been very vocal on your Government’s position take in relation to the subject bill and this is well known to you,” Hosein wrote.

“My client has criticised the purported consultation process and the lack of candour in the debate in the Parliament.

You have also been vociferous in your disagreement with my client.

However, you must appreciate that this issue is bigger than personalities and paramount importance must be placed on the nation’s youth.” Hosein has not given the AG a date by which to provide the information but asked for an ‘early response’ to his request.

Secretary General of the Maha Sabha Sat Maharaj has publicly challenged the amendment to the Marriage Bill, saying the new law was a travesty which destroys family life.

He claimed politicians were inviting themselves into citizens’ bedrooms by deciding at what age to get married and have sex.