January

Local police could soon share the particulars of convicted individuals, including their criminal records and fingerprints, with foreign law enforcement agencies. A Bill tabled in Parliament on Jan 29 proposes changes to the Registration of Criminals Act. Under the Act, particulars of criminals such as their fingerprints, photographs and DNA information are captured in the Register of Criminals. It is used for example, when the court sentences a repeat offender. The Home Affairs Ministry said this is to strengthen cooperation with enforcement agencies overseas.

But the proposed changes do not include sharing of DNA information. The Home Affairs Ministry also said foreign law enforcement agencies must protect the confidentiality of the information shared, and to use it only for crime prevention or criminal investigation. The ministry said this will boost the effectiveness of agencies here to solve crimes, especially in cases where there are no opportunities to take fingerprints and body samples within 48 hours of arrest.

Enacted in the beginning of 2015, Law 13,103 introduced new rights and rules for professional drivers, including a drug testing requirement. In November 2015 the Ministry of Labour and Employment issued rules on drug testing, which will come into force in March 2016.

According to the new rules, all professional drivers involved in road passenger transport and road cargo transport must undergo drug testing. Drug tests must be performed both before hiring and on termination. In addition, tests must be able to detect any psychoactive substance consumed at least 90 days before the date of examination. Under the law, employers can set out a drug testing policy, provided that employees have free access to its content and that it does not conflict with labour and employment laws. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has imposed these restrictions in order to preserve employees' privacy. Drug testing may help employers and employees to avoid labour accidents and identify and provide adequate treatment for drug-addicted employees. Employees who refuse to undergo drug testing may be dismissed with cause.

Errol Cornish, a consultant anaesthetist, and his colleague Dr Nadeem Azeez, were accused of gross negligence which resulted in the death of an otherwise healthy 30 year-old after she went into labour with her second child.

The NHS Trust was charged with corporate manslaughter for not carrying out suffiicent background checks on the qualifications of the two men, who had only basic skills and experience.