in the Senate yesterday with the backing of both parties.

Sen. Lawrence Scott (UBP) introduced the Second Reading of the Criminal Code Amendment Act 1995 saying it was the last part of three pieces of legislation tackling racism.

He said it would be a deterrent to people to know the law was against them and came about following many discussions.

He said he thought there would be people who believed the legislation did not go far enough. "There is an assumption that by and large the vast majority of people find racial discrimination distasteful.

"But there are those that cannot let the past go. It is for that group that we bring in this legislation,'' said Sen. Scott.

Sen. Milton Scott (PLP) asked why the legislation did not deal with gender discrimination and intimidation and he said it was important to let the public know how successful the legislation was in terms of the number of cases reported.

"Then the public will be able to ascertain that something is really being done about racial harassment and intimidation,'' he said.

Sen. Lynda Milligan-Whyte (UBP) explained to Sen. Scott that legislation would be coming before the Senate dealing with gender discrimination.

She said the Criminal Code amendment formed part of a plan of action to bring various elements together to "ensure society rids itself of all forms of discrimination''.

However, according to Sen. Neletha (Honey) Butterfield (PLP) the legislation would not change attitudes, which had to change from within.

"It is a small step, but it is time to take a giant step and rid ourselves of racial practices,'' she said, adding workshops needed to be put into place for board rooms and human resource managers to be educated about discrimination and harassment.

But Sen. Yvette Swan (UBP) said the Bill showed Government was serious about racial discrimination and although no-one could legislate for people's attitudes there could be legislation over how one person could treat another.

Sen. Norma Astwood (Ind.) raised the question of how the legislation could be used when there may be no witnesses. "It is so much more effective to have prevention,'' she said.

Government needed to bring about a change in people's minds -- from an early age. She also said people were forced to conform through dress code or even hairstyle and often the media would use reports saying a person was black, white, Portuguese and English.

"We use information unnecessarily to categorise groups of people so we sexually and racially harass groups of people, not just individuals,'' she said.

Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) called the Bill a "foolish, stupid law'' that had the ability to victimise the victim and what ought to be addressed were institutionalised racism, the hiring and promotions issues, mortgages and contract winning.

"If we tackle racial discrimination these are the areas we have to address.

This Bill deals with the cosmetics, it does not deal with the real issues,'' he said.

"People calling eachother names on the street has little impact on promotions or the awarding of contracts.'' The Senate President, Sen. Albert Jackson (Ind.) finished the debate saying there were all kinds of barriers to be overcome, such as racial, national, cultural and complexion.

"I am talking about what is in the hearts and minds of people,'' he said. The Bill was passed with no objections and will now go before the Governor for his assent.