Despite the concerns of the opposition at a lack of consultations on what was described as a “cut and paste” Coroners (amendment) Bill which fueled a more than two-hour-long debate, government last evening passed the piece of legislation.
Attorney General Basil William, the mover of the bill, argued that the amendments would pave the way for inquests into the existing large number of unnatural deaths for which relatives need answers and closure. The opposition disagreed with his reasoning, stating that what is needed is a holistic approach.
The bill which was published in the Official Gazette on November 13 last and read for the first time on December 17 last sought