Barbados says Shanique Myrie an undesirable visitor
Queen Counsel Roger Forde has defended the Barbados Government immigration policy, insisting that Caribbean Community (Caricom) nationals must first be able to pass the test to enter the island in the first place in order to be allowed to benefit from the Caricom free travel initiative.
Forde was making his final arguments yesterday before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that is hearing the case in which Jamaican national Shanique Myrie claimed that she had been discriminated against because of her nationality when she travelled to Barbados on March 14, 2011.
Myrie, 25, alleged that when she travelled to Barbados she was also subjected to a body cavity search, detained overnight in a cell and deported to Jamaica the following day.
Myrie is also alleging that she was subjected to derogatory remarks by a Barbadian immigration officer at the Grantley Adams International Airport and is asking the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment applicable to Caricom citizens moving around the region.
Her lawyers have asked the CCJ, which has reserved its ruling in the matter, to order Barbados to pay substantial compensation to their client.
On September 27 last year, Jamaica was granted leave to intervene in the matter.
Forde told the court that Myrie's statement contained several inconsistencies and that there is no evidence to support her claim of discrimination.
He said several parts of the statement she gave could not be verified and on that basis alone, her entire testimony should be dismissed.
The Queen's Counsel told the court that people had a right to stay in Barbados for six months under the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services within the region, if they were able to first pass the test to enter the country in the first place.
Forde urged the CCJ, which also acts as tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional grouping, that a regional heads of government conference decision in 2007, which states Caricom nationals should be allowed into member states for six months so as to develop a feeling of belonging to the region, is not binding because it was never written into local law.
Forde argued that the conference decision, even if it is determined to be binding by the CCJ, cannot trump the ability of Barbados' border officials to thoroughly determine the desirability of any Caricom national seeking to enter the island.
He told the court that Myrie gave immigration authorities an address and telephone number of a person with whom she claimed she would be staying during her stay in Barbados, but when the host was contacted she indicated that she was allowing Myrie to use her address and phone number, but would not be responsible for her accommodation.
Forde said that, instead, a man arrived at the airport to pick up Myrie, even as Myrie claimed she did not know him.
He said this situation, coupled with Myrie's personal conduct, brought officials to deem her as an undesirable visitor.
But three of the six-panel CCJ judges disagreed that it was a fundamental issue, even as the Barbados lead lawyer maintained that the Jamaican was not telling the truth.
In her submission to the CCJ, attorney Gladys Young, who is representing Caricom, said that on entry into any Caricom country, Caribbean citizens would get an automatic six-month stay.
However, she explained that the member state can refuse entry on the basis of undesirability or in order to prevent the person from becoming a drain on the public purse.
In further explaining the term "undesirable" the attorney said that while there is no parameter in the Caricom treaty for assessing personal conduct, if it is found that there is a genuine serious and sufficient threat, then the person may be refused entry.
Myrie was initially granted permission to enter Barbados, but that clearance was cancelled less than an hour later after investigations by senior immigration officer Merlo Reid showed she had lied about who her host would be in Barbados.
"Merlo Reid did not reject Shanique Myrie because of the colour of her shoes or the colour of her hair. He did not deny her entry because she was a Jamaican. He denied her because it was discovered she was untruthful," Forde said.
The CCJ, established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region's final court, held sittings in Jamaica and Barbados and Myrie's attorney Michelle Brown Monday urged the judges to completely believe the entire testimony of Myrie because the woman's evidence had remained consistent and accurate throughout the process of the hearing before the CCJ.
She told the CCJ that it was one thing to refuse Myrie entry but it was another thing to detain her, and as a result she should be awarded moral and punitive damages of almost one million Barbados dollars (US$500,000).
Haitian Finance Minister resigns with immediate effect
Haiti’s Finance and Economy Minister Marie Carmelle Jean-Marie resigned Wednesday with immediate effect.
Jean-Marie, who has been in the post for a year, sent her letter of resignation to Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe.Her resignation comes amidst constant reports that she no longer feels she has the support of her colleagues in her effort to manage the local economy.
Dubbed the “Iron Lady,” she worked in Cuba for eight years before giving up her residency there to return to Haiti in 2010. She is considered by many in Haiti and in the international community as one of the more credible and competent members of President Michel Martelly’s administration.
Political observers say her efforts to bring transparency to Haiti’s finances, initiate a large-scale reform of the management of the country’s finances and put the impoverished French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on a path to macro-economic stability have not been easy.
They said the most recent issue creating a stir among donors to the earthquake battered country is a decision by the government to issue US$432 million in no-bid contracts after Hurricane Sandy last year.
Source-CMC
Antigua gov't extends life of special task force on crime
The Antigua and Barbuda government says it will extend by a further 90 days the operations of a special task force to deal with serious crimes, especially those that involved the use of firearms.
National Security Minister Dr Errol Cort said that notwithstanding the success of the force in recent days, “its task is still unfinished.
“In the circumstance, and after careful review, I have decided to extend the life of the Crime Task Force for further 90 days, after which another review will be carried out,” he said, adding that it was his expectation that over the next three months the force “will have even greater success in apprehending and bringing to justice those perpetrators of serious criminal acts, especially those who are involved in gun related violence.
“We will not allow criminal elements to hold our small island state at ransom. Our law enforcement officers will therefore continue to be proactive in securing and protecting the citizens and residents of and visitors to our twin island nation,” Cort said, praising the work of the Royal Police Force, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force and the members of the Joint Task Force.
He said since the special task force had been in existence it had executed 91 search warrants, detained 152 people and arrested and charged 50 people on offences ranging from gun and drug activities.
In addition, several rounds of ammunition and firearms had been seized.
But Cort acknowledged that despite the success “there are some areas of the community which continue to be trouble spots” and that “the high visibility of uniformed officers, both military and police in ‘hot spots’ during ‘peak’ times has had the desired effect of reducing the levels of serious crime”.
Source-CMC
Former deputy leader of the Progressive National Party, Albray Butterfield jr calls for the resignation of the Minister of Immigration and Labor
Former deputy leader of the Progressive National Party, Albray Butterfield jr., has voiced his consternation in a four page letter over an incident that put the Minister of Immigration and Labor in a position where a firearm was reportedly fired by a friend of his, in his presence and the presence of two innocent by-standing tourists over the Easter holiday weekend. This resulted in the lady receiving superficial injuries to her leg.
Butterfield said in in the letter that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link; noting that all it takes is for one or two rouge, reckless, irresponsible, self-centred and void of moral judgement government minister(s) to bring down a fragile government administration attempting to rebound from one of its most disgraceful periods in history, thus fulfilling the prophecy of the government’s critics.
He said the Previous Progressive National Party (“PNP”) Government Administration was brought crashing down with the sound being heard all around the world as a result of similar irresponsible and reckless behaviour of a few of its Government Ministers; and between 2003 thru 2008, no one within the hierarchy of the PNP or the Government of that day had the bowels to stand up and speak out publicly in condemnation of such action of its Ministers, until at the very end when the writing was already on the wall.
Butterfield said if TCI public officials, more specifically the PNP party’s public officials and its Government Administration’s image in public office are to change in the mind of the world at large, strong frontline supporters of both TCI political fraternities, local religious and civic leaders, and the electorate on a hold must stand up and publicly speak out, and rebuke such evils each time rouge behaviours and dishonest acts manifest itself from TCI public officials and the Government of the day.
He questioned why the senior Government Minister had not yet come forth publicly to the electorate and apologised for his alleged disgraceful conduct in public, or publicly apologise to the two innocent by-standing tourist that was injured as a result of his male friend’s alleged actions.
It is his belief that the dilemma that senior Government Minister had gotten himself into, could have been avoided and chided the Premier that quote:- “until you commence to instil the fair of God in your Government Ministers, and seek to have their moral compasses calibrated to find true north, one or two of your Ministers will always be an embarrassment to your Administration,” end quote.
Mr. Butterfield expressed the sentiments that he no longer has confidence in Mr Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner’s moral judgment to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands, both domestically and internationally and called on Premier Ewing, as well as H.E. Governor Rick Todd to ask for the resignation of Mr Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner from the Cabinet of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government with immediate effect, for breach of conduct unbecoming of a person in public office.
The Hospitality department of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College to partner with other tourism entities
The Hospitality department of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College is planning its annual major fundraising event, on Saturday May 4th. 2013.
Mr. Samuel E. Forbes, Vice President of the College, says the upcoming the event is multi-purpose, in that its genesis is in the Bachelors of Hotel and Tourist management program, where students are expected to manage a major event as part of their course work and assessment.
Additionally, it is to raise much needed funds for the college, and more specifically the hospitality department, to help in effecting their dynamic programs, which includes field trips, practical exercises, research activities, and other mandatory activities that are required for the successful completion of the studies at the bachelors level.
The Hospitality Department of the TCI COMC also seeks to promote the culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands to residents, visitors and Tourists alike by working in collaboration with the Director of Culture, Mr. David Bowen and the Cultural and Arts Department and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA).
Persons desirous of more information, you may contact Mr. Samuel E. Forbes, H.O.D. at the college Ms. Michelle Hosten, or Mr. David Bowen, all members of the organizing committee.
The Integrity Commission is reporting more than 95% compliance rate
It has been revealed that some 13 persons (or 4%) are yet to file their Declarations of interests with the Turks and Caicos Islands Integrity Commission. But while these persons are yet to file, the Integrity Commission is commending persons in public life in TCI, for the continuing confidence in and support for the work of the Commission as an anti-corruption agency.
1. Section 25 of the Integrity Commission Ordinance 2008 as amended requires all persons in public life, to file with the Integrity Commission, declarations of their incomes, assets and liabilities (Sec.25 Declarations) once every two years on or before the 30 June of the year in which filing is required. The declarations for the current filing cycle covered the period April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012. (2010-2012 cycle)
2. The deadline for the 2010-2012 cycle, was 30 June 2012. The Commission however extended this time mainly for the first time declarants from the statutory and other public bodies who became persons in public life as a result of the expansion of the
list of persons in public life in March 2012.
3. First time declarants outside the 2010-2012 cycle, are however required to file their Section 25 Declarations within 90 days of becoming persons in public life.
Hon. Members of the House of Assembly fell into this category, with the exception of those who had previously filed as persons in public life by virtue of their previous public posts. Having been elected and subsequently sworn in during November, 2012, these Hon. Members had until February 2013 to file their Section 25 Declarations.
4. In addition, all Hon. Members were required to file with the Commission, Statements of their Registrable interests in accordance with Section 36B of the Ordinance and Section 103 of the Constitution. Here’s Chris Jarrettwith more on the Commission’s findings.
Chris Jarrett The Commission can now confirm that:-
(i) As at March 31, 2013, a total of 308 persons in public life (including Hon. Members) were expected to file their Section 25 Declarations with the Commission.
(ii) Out of this number, 295 persons (including Hon. Members) or about 96% filed their declarations with the Commission. 13 persons (or 4%) are yet to file.
(iii) All the Hon. Members of the House (including the Ministers) have, in addition, filed their Statements of Registerable Interests with the Commission. As required by the law, these interests include particulars of directorship or investment in companies; contracts with government, beneficial interest in land, funds to which a member contributes; sources of income; political, trade or professional associations to which a member belongs, etc.
The Integrity Commission is urging members of the community not to draw any undue speculation against a person to whom no Certificate of Compliance has yet been issued. The examination of other declarations, according to the Commission, is an on-going process.
Lynn:- In accordance with Section 13 of the Integrity Commission Ordinance, the Commission began to examine these declarations shortly after the initial deadline of June 30, 2012. Following the first-phase examinations of these declarations, the Commission can further confirm that:-
(i) The Certificates of Compliance have now been issued to 124 persons in public life out of 295 declarants that filed. The Commission is communicating with these persons in writing as to when and where to collect their Certificates of Compliance.
(ii) The examination of other declarations is an on-going process and more Certificates of Compliance will be issued in due course, as the Commission is satisfied that full and true disclosures have been made. No adverse inference should therefore be drawn at this stage against a person to whom no Certificate of Compliance has yet been issued. Indeed the Commission will not make any adverse decision (including refusal of Certificate of Compliance) without giving the declarant affected the opportunity to be heard.
According to the Integrity Commission, Registrable Interests filed by Hon Members of the House, are also being examined. Here again is Chris Jarrett.
Chris Jarrett:- With respect to Statements of Registrable Interests filed by Hon Members of the House, these are also being examined, after which they will be compiled in a Register called “Register of Interests” and published next month, May, 2013. A copy of the Register will be made available for public inspection at the Commission’s office during normal office hours. The Register will also be made available for public inspection at the House of Assembly during every sitting of the House.
8. With regards to Confidentiality of Section 25 Declarations: Unlike Statement of Registrable Interests, Section 25 declarations of incomes, assets and liabilities by persons in public life are strictly confidential and not for the public domain. A breach of this confidentiality obligation is a criminal offence with severe penalties. The Commission therefore reiterates its commitment to continue its strict enforcement of these confidentiality obligations as set out in the Ordinance.
9. Failure, without reasonable excuse, to file a declaration or filing an incomplete or untrue declaration, is a criminal offence. The Commission is also committed to enforcing the provisions of the Ordinance in this respect.
Eugene Otuonye QC, Director of the Integrity Commission stated that “The Commission is indeed pleased to note that, although the number of persons in public life increased by about 100% during the current cycle, there was more than 95% compliance rate. This high compliance rate clearly demonstrates the commitment to integrity, honesty and good faith in public life by the people of Turks and Caicos Islands. The Commission therefore commends all persons in public life in TCI, and is grateful for the continuing public confidence in and support for work of the Commission as an anti-corruption agency.”
For further information or any assistance please contact the Integrity Commission: By phone at: 9461941(Office); 232-3455; 4326173 (Compliance Officers) or 2318886 (Director) by e-mail at: secretary@integritycommission.tc or info@integritycommission.tc
This Chris Jarrettfor RTC News
Premier Ewing dispels rumors that the Minister of Immigration and Labor has not tendered his resignation
Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing has dispelled rumors that the Minister of Immigration and Labor has tendered his resignation.
A press statement from Premier Ewing today, said there has been much discussion in the media and amongst residents concerning the recent firearm incident and the Minister of Immigration and Labor, Hon. Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner.
Police in Providenciales are at the moment investigating that incident which occurred on Sunday 31st March 2013 around 1:40 am in the Grace Bay area in which a firearm was discharged.
It was reported that during this time, a male person shot a single bullet from his firearm on the pavement of the road, which resulted in two bystanders (a male and female) who were in the immediate vicinity at the time, receiving superficial injuries from the splinters that ricocheted and were taken to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where they were treated and released.
In connection with this shooting, a 26-year-old male was arrested by the Police and taken into custody. He was later granted Police Bail with a surety to return to the Station at a later date.
The Minister of Immigration and Labor was said to have been in the company of the 26-year-old male when the firearm was discharged.
In his press statement, Premier Ewing said and I quote:-
“I wish to inform the public that a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the realities of the incident and the extent of the involvement of the Honorable Minister, if any. The Office of the Premier is currently awaiting such official reports of the incident from the Commissioner of Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
In the meantime it has been rumored that the Honorable Minister of Immigration and Labor has been fired and/or has resigned from his post. Such rumors are false, as the Minister has not tendered his resignation, nor has the Premier asked for it to be tendered. We live in a country that must be governed by the rule of law and justice, and as such it is inappropriate for me to harbor any such requests before the investigations have been completed and recommendations have been made, in the interest of Good Governance.
I must however reiterate my view which is that persons in public life, including members of Cabinet and of the legislative and judicial arms of government, should conduct themselves throughout, in a manner that is befitting of the offices that they hold,” end quote.
EMPLOYMENT-Union wants regional Governments to intervene in dismissal of workers
There is no possibility that employees of LIME Turks and Caicos will be laid off.
The assurance came from General Manager of LIME TCI Mr. Drexwell Seymour in response to a regional story that the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) is calling on Caribbean governments to intervene to stop plans by the British telecommunications giant Cable and Wireless, which operates in the Caribbean under the brand LIME, to lay off employees across the region.
“At this point, we want to state that the redundancy and layoff at LIME, and I’m talking regionally, it has really reached a stage where enough is enough,” DPSU general secretary told the Dominica-based website, DA VIBES.
“We think it has reached a point where we believe that the governments of the respective countries need to intervene. In Dominica, that is even more important since Dominica has some shares in the company,” he noted.
According to Letang at least 12 workers there will be sent home and the public cannot continue to support the notion that the only way a company’s finances can be improved by “laying off employees who have spent all their lives at that institution, making so much sacrifices for that institution.”
He told the website that the DPSU, along with other regional unions have discussed the matter with LIME’s regional leaders and have also received assistance from an international trade union organization.
“I believe that we really need to go further than that to see how we can put a stop to that kind of practice because it is not helping the region, it is not helping employees, it’s not helping their families,” Letang added.
Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing also told RTC News that there has been no such correspondence to his office regarding such a request to intervene to stop plans by the telecommunications giant Cable and Wireless, which operates in the Caribbean under the brand LIME, to lay off employees across the region.
Mr. Seymour said a number of employees voluntarily accepted packages last year, but reiterated that there are no plans to lay off any of his staff.
The First Annual TCI Women Entrepreneurs Conference will be held on Tuesday, May 7
The First Annual TCI Women Entrepreneurs Conference will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 under the theme “Network, Empower, Succeed”.
The conference, organized by the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce, is expected to bring together women who will share their experiences, challenges and innovative strategies for success to empower each other.
The conference is part of Fenelon Empowerment Services ongoing initiatives to empower Entrepreneurs across the TCI.
Attendees will leave empowered from sessions on:
·How to use technology to grow your business
·Importance of revising your business strategies to meet challenging times and customer demands
·Out of the box marketing strategies: a focus on Internet marketing
·Is your business legally compliant?
·How to avoid financially fatal mistakes
There’s no disputing the fact that many moms work just as hard as any entrepreneur and so the session on ‘creating a balance between being an Entrepreneur and a Mom-preneur,’ will likely be one of the topics that should generate much interest.
The Conference will also highlight the Youth Enterprise Program. Conference organizers say this exposure and networking with established Entrepreneurs will further enhance student's learning and enthusiasm about entrepreneurship.
The First Annual TCI Women Entrepreneurs Conference will take place at LIME’s Conference Centre on Leeward Highway from 8 am - 5 pm on Tuesday, 7th May
Registration for the conference is $120 and Registration forms are available by contacting fenelonempowerment@yahoo.com or phone 231-2486.
Business owners also have an option to contribute to this valuable experience by placing an advertisement in the Conference booklet.
$343 Million Set Aside to Complete UTECH School of Hospitality
The University of Technology (UTech) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (SHTM) is expected to be completed this fiscal year, following an allocation of $343.6 million.
This is set out in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.
The allotment has been provided for the University of Technology Enhancement Project, under which construction and other activities will be carried out.
The project aims to enhance the university’s capacity to provide quality level education in Jamaica, through the expansion and upgrading of its facilities, further development of its staff, and improved financial sustainability.
Also, for this fiscal year under the project, a contract for Shared Facilities/School of Computing and Information Technology (SCIT) building is to be signed and construction works commenced; and a contract for the expansion of the administrative building is to be awarded and work commenced.
Activities for the period will also include the installation of equipment for use in the SHTM facility (standard and special) for training purposes.
Achievements of the project to date include:Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) building and planning approval has been received for all sub-projects; the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is 50 per cent complete; electrical upgrading is six per cent complete; and the Environmental Laboratory is 75 per cent complete.
In terms of institutional strengthening, six have been completed and implemented under the project. They are:Improvement of Information and Communication Technology; Income Diversification Strategy; Market Needs Analysis and Graduate Tracer Needs; Improvement of Human Resource Capacity; Academic Quality Assurance; and Enhancement of the Quality of Learning and Teaching.
The project, which is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank, began in July, 2008. After an extension, it is slated to conclude in June, 2015.
Source- JIS Reporter