PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CCJ INCREASING

Public support across the region for the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had risen from 68% in 2000 to 80% in 2002 reported Mr. Sheldon Mc Donald, CCJ Project Coordinator in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. He said that all member states of CARICOM are united in their support for the establishment of the regional Court.

Mr McDonald was speaking to Media representatives in Dominica recently while in that CARICOM Member State with a team of Secretariat officials for the launch of a series of public education activities. The focus of the exercise is to among other things build consensus among the various sectors of the society on the establishment of the regional court.

Dominica’s Attorney General, Hon Henry Dyer said that his country is now able to make a “bold start in its public education campaign so that the man on the street will understand what is meant by the establishment of the CCJ.”

According to Mr. Dyer, Dominica regards the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) as being critical to its development.

The country activities will be spearheaded by a committee headed by Mr. Elue John Charles, Chief Parliamentary Drafsman in the Office of the Attorney General. The committee is responsible for dealing with a range of issues associated with the CCJ including public education of citizens.

Outlining the Court’s benefits to Dominicans, Mr McDonald pointed to the rights and responsibilities under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which is provided for CARICOM citizens. He declared “there must be an institution to enforce and safeguard such rights…for example, if vendors from Dominica are discriminated against in Barbados, they will be able to access the CCJ to tell of the violations…. This is their court,” the Project Co-ordinator said.