A WRIT denouncing the proposed passing of the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill 2012 in its present form by the National Assembly has been filed in the Supreme Court Registry by the Guyana Cricket Board.

Board Secretary Anand Sanasie, who headed the list of about ten plaintiffs, is seeking 12 declarations and an Order. He has named the Attorney General of Guyana; the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport; and the Speaker of the National Assembly as respondents.

He is seeking:
(a) A declaration that the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill 2012, Bill No. 31 of 2012 as laid, presented and read in the National Assembly on the 20th day of December, 2012, and as amended by the Special Select Committee as reflected in the report of the Select Committee of the National Assembly on the 7th day of August 2013, if passed by the National Assembly in its present form, is likely to contravene the applicants’ rights to protection from inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment, as guaranteed by Articles 40 and 141 of the Constitution of Guyana.

(b)An Order directed to the third-named defendant (The Speaker), prohibiting him from permitting or allowing the further reading of the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill 2012, Bill No. 31 of 2012, in its present form as laid, presented and read in the National Assembly on the 20th day of December, 2012; and as amended by the Special Select Committee as reflected in the Report of the Select Committee of the National Assembly on August 7, 2013, because if passed by the National Assembly in its present form, the bill is likely to contravene the applicants’ rights to protection from inhuman or degrading punishment, or other treatment as guaranteed by Articles 40, 141, 142, and 147 of the Constitution of Guyana.

The writ of summons with statement of claim and authority to attorney-at- law, along with affidavits in support of the summons, have been served on the respondents. The matter is returnable on April 30th, when the respondents are expected to be granted leave by the court to file affidavits in answer.

(By George Barclay)