Jamaica
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Freedom of movement challenge after that CCJ ruling
KINGSTON, Jamaica – THE ripple effects of the recent landmark ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the case of Jamaican Shanique Myrie vs the Barbados Government should awaken the leaders of Caricom out of their Rip van Winkle-like slumber to honour their commitment to unhindered free intra-regional movement of citizens of the community. No less a person…
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The Myrie Case And Human Rights
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Some of the facts established in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) landmark original jurisdiction decision in the matter Shanique Myrie v Barbados make for uncomfortable reading. Ms Myrie was cursed at, had her phone searched, was held in an insanitary detention facility, then sent back on a flight to Jamaica. She was never given a chance…
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Former Jamaica deputy prime minister dies
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Seymour “Foggy” Mullings, a former deputy prime minister and regarded as one of the stalwarts of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP), has died. He was 82. Mullings was a prominent member of the Cabinet of prime ministers Michael Manley and P.J Patterson from 1989 until his retirement from Parliament in 2002. He served in various…
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CSME Project Launched In Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A Caricom project backed by Canada was launched in Kingston Tuesday to drive implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The CSME aims to harmonise rules for the movement of capital, goods and services, as well as skills among the member countries of the regional trading bloc. Phase two of the CARICOM-Canadian International Development Agency…
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Former Jamaica prime minister wants Caribbean leaders to speak up on Dominican Republican action
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Former Jamaica prime minister PJ Patterson says the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping needs to strongly condemn recent developments in the Dominican Republic that could render stateless, thousands of persons of Haitian descent. The Constitutional Court in Santo Domingo has ruled in favour of stripping citizenship from children of Haitian migrants. The decision applies to those…
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House Approves CARICOM Act Amendments
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The House of Representatives Tuesday passed a bill which seeks to amend the Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) Act. The bill was passed without the parliamentary Opposition contributing to the debate. Labour and Social Security Minister Derrick Kellier opened debate on the bill last week, after which it was suspended. However, yesterday, no member of…
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Myrie Scored A Victory For Us All
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Shanique Myrie, a Jamaican woman of humble background, sued the Barbados government and apparently won several rights for all CARICOM citizens. She spoke up for equal rights and justice. It was financially costly and time consuming. Myrie's attitude and actions can be considered heroic. Myrie was subjected to a painful and humiliating body-cavity search in unsanitary conditions…
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CCJ judgment to shift way in which business is conducted in CARICOM
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Irwin LaRocque, says the recent judgment by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the case of Shanique Myrie and the Government of Barbados will lead to a shift in the way affairs in the Community are conducted. LaRocque who made the statement at a conference hosted by the Sir…
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Lawmakers Give Nod To Decriminalisation Of Ganja
KINGSTON, Jamaica – LAWMAKERS YESTERDAY gave the nod to a private member's motion calling for the decriminalisation of ganja following two weeks of rigorous debate which saw members on the government side split on the issue. Despite sharp divisions among members of parliament (MP) on the controversial issue, at the end of yesterday's debate, the motion was passed without a…
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Concerns over rising exchange rate for US currency in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Former finance minister Audley Shaw Tuesday called on the Jamaica government to implement a number of measures aimed at slowing or reversing the exchange rate of the local dollar against the United States currency. Shaw, who is seeking to take over the leadership of the main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), said that the Portia Simpson…
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