"The Opposition is strongly recommending that since we have waited such a long time for the debate and passage of the Charter of Rights, three more months could certainly not be fatal," Opposition Member of Parliament and PNP Chairman Robert Pickersgill said in Parliament yesterday.

Prime Minister Golding opened the debate on the Charter of Rights yesterday and indicated that he would want to have it passed by the time Parliament is prorogued in March next year.

Debate could be suspended

However, Pickersgill said it is the view of the Opposition that the debate on the Charter of Rights could be suspended until January 2010.

The amendment to the Constitution being demanded by the PNP would mean that the bill be laid in the House for three months before first reading and another three months before it is debated and passed.

A two-thirds majority is needed in both Houses for constitutional amendments to succeed, and Pickersgill has signalled that the Opposition's cooperation will be contingent on the Pratt and Morgan amendment.

Last November when Parliament voted to retain the death penalty, Golding had agreed that Parliament should consider extending the five-year stricture, as laid down by the Pratt and Morgan ruling by the Privy Council.

The ruling states that a condemned man shall not be executed if the period of appeal extends beyond five years of his conviction.

The PNP has said that it is almost impossible for the process to be completed within that time.

No middle ground

Yesterday, Pickersgill told Parliament that it is "either we abolish the death penalty or remove the strictures imposed by Pratt and Morgan. We can visualise no middle ground."

Pickersgill chastised the Government for going ahead with the Charter of Rights Debate. He said the right to life provision of the Constitution must be addressed.

"The Opposition is now astounded that there is an intention to debate the Charter of Rights bill. How is the right to life provision, and how is the death penalty to be treated within the charter?" Pickersgill asked.

"It tugs at our heart strings to have the passage of these provisions delayed by one more day but the Parliament must get it right," Pickersgill said.

Meanwhile, Golding urged the Opposition, "Let us not slow down what is here running already because there is a sufficiency of time."