Data Protection Bill among others tabled in National Assembly

Government has laid several new Bills in the National Assembly, which were read for the first time during Thursday’s sitting.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips presented the Data Protection Bill, created to regulate the collection, keeping, processing, use and dissemination of personal data. Once enacted, it will protect the privacy of persons in relation to their personal data.
Personal data has been defined as any information relating to an identified or identifiable person, pertaining to private and public life as well as professional activities.
The Bill prescribes that a body be established, recognised as the Data Protection Office, which shall be responsible for the administration and implementation of the Act. The President will also be empowered to appoint a Data Protection Commissioner.
Meanwhile, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall presented the Real Estate Agents and Brokers’ Bill. This will allow for the registration and regulation of Real Estate Agents and Brokers in Guyana; to promote transparency in the real estate profession; and most importantly, assist in the detection and prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
Real estate is one of the sectors that Guyana has an obligation to regulate by way of legislation under the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) structure.
The Guyana Compliance Commission Bill was also laid by the Attorney General. This is linked at providing adequate supervision to reporting entities (Designated Non-Financial Business or Professions and Non-Bank Financial Institutions) for compliance with obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act; to enhance the compliance, guidance and training regime on money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing in Guyana; to provide domestic and international cooperation; and to provide for other related matters.
The Government is also seeking to make amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, in a bid to improve the abilities and powers of law enforcement in the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.
The Bill provides a new section, which recognises the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) as the primary body with the Guyana Police Force dealing with matters relating to money laundering and terrorist financing.
Last November, the Attorney General’s Chambers reported that Guyana had completed its second AML/CFT National Risk Assessment Report (NRA), with the Government intending to implement additional amendments to the AML/CFT. The Government is looking to make approximately 30 amendments to the AML/CFT and also to insert new sections.
There are also consequential amendments to the Evidence Act, Combatting the Trafficking of Persons Act, the Financial Institutions Act and Foreign Exchange (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.
In addition, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond also presented the Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill.
In April, two Bills – one to see the creation of legislation for the National Intelligence and Security Agency and the Reciprocal Enforcement Bill to allow for the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements, were introduced to the National Assembly. (G12)