the civil contingencies act 2007

The Civil Contingencies Act 2007 had only 5 amendments since it was passed until 2020. These amendments include crucial additions such as the Disability Act 2017 & amendments to the data Protection Act 2004, made in 2018.

On March  19th 2020 however, the new legislation began to be implemented and between that date & November of the same year, some 15 amendments, most of which were only passed recently.

The continued program of introducing new legislation even though it has become very clear that the alleged pandemic is little more dangerous to general public health than seasonal flu is extremely worrying, as history shows that redacted powers are rarely restored once they have been lost and accepted by the electorate.

Every one of the new laws have, in some degree, curtailed the fundamental rights of Gibraltarians, as held in the constitution, whether that be the right to freedom of movement, freedom of conscience or the right to assemble and protest, one of the most basic democratic rights we must be afforded to show displeasure in our elected representatives.

The use of financial penalties & threats of incarceration have been used mercilessly as coercion to  force the public to comply with the new laws. The RGP, who each took an oath to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England and not to the incumbent Government, have enforced these restrictions with apparent relish & not only have they overstepped their authority on countless occasions, they have been recorded doing so.

THE CIVIL CONTINGENCIES ACT 2007

PRE-EMPTIVE MEASURES

Part 2

This section deals with the pre-emptive measures and then the general measures following identification of an emergency.
It defines 'Urgency' and sets out the impact on implementing various new laws, along with monitoring of the situation and, of course enforcement of those not complying.

EMERGENCY

Part 3

part 3 defines an 'Emergency' and sets out the powers available to make new laws in light of the seriousness of the threat.
Conditions for making such new laws are defined long with the scope & limitations of the available powers.
Critically, it further dictates the duration any new laws will be effective & the urgency of the new measures may have.

CIVIL CONTINGENCY COMMITTEE

Part 4

This section deals with the setting up of a special committee to oversee and manage any emergency situation that may develop.
The roles and functions of this committee are set out here along with the post of a co-ordinator together with the relevant regulations involved.

E.C.I. & S.O.N.I.S.

Parts 5, 6 & 7

Theses three & complex sections deal with defining, identifying, managing potential sensitive areas of infrastructure & digital IT systems that may be potentially vulnerable.
The provision for specific & possibly sensitive infrastructure of European significance is primarily addressed in Part 6.