St. Vincent Parliament ban alcohol from funeral processions

St Vincent’s parliament has passed legislation making it illegal to consume alcohol during funeral processions, effective immediately.

The new law, however, does not extend to alcohol consumption within cemeteries due to challenges in defining cemetery boundaries.

On Tuesday, 13 government lawmakers, including Attorney General Grenville Williams, supported the bill. The new law imposes a fine of up to EC$200 for violations.

The opposition did not back the bill, arguing that while they do not support alcohol consumption during funeral processions, the law could create more issues than it resolves. Opposition Leader Godwin Friday, who opposed the bill, was absent during the vote.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who introduced the Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, described the legislation as straightforward. He explained that the law makes it an offence to possess or consume alcohol in a funeral procession along highways, roads, or other thoroughfares.

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The penalty for violating the law, upon summary conviction, is a fine not exceeding EC$200.

Intoxicating liquor is defined as per the Liquor Licence Act, and an offence occurs only if the alcohol container is unsealed.

Gonsalves emphasized that the law aims to curb disruptive behavior observed during funeral processions, where some participants have been seen drinking and creating disturbances. He argued that the law addresses a growing concern that such conduct detracts from the solemnity of funerals.

The Prime Minister also addressed concerns about the potential strain on police resources, noting that existing laws related to public drunkenness and disturbances do not heavily tax police efforts.

He assured that the new law would primarily serve to address egregious conduct and would not lead to an overburdening of the judicial system.

While Gonsalves acknowledged that music and celebration are part of traditional funeral practices, he stressed that the new law seeks to prevent excessive and inappropriate behavior.

Gonsalves also mentioned that the original bill had proposed extending the ban to cemeteries but was revised due to difficulties in defining cemetery boundaries.