Category Archives: International News

WHILE DOMINICA PAYS I/2 $MILLION TO A RETIRED KITTIAN JUDGE FOR MORE LEGAL REVIEWS, ST.KITTS & NEVIS TAKES ON ELECTORAL REFORM IN EARNEST BY PASSING THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS (AMENDMENT)BILL, 2020

The Parliament of the Federation of St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Nevis is continuing its effort to ensure free and fair elections in the Federation. This week, debate continued in the Parliament on the amendment of a few pieces of legislation including the National Assembly Elections (Amendment) Bill), 2020, which sought to provide for the […]

ST.KITTS AND NEVIS MOVES TO AMEND ITS CONSTITUTION AND CITIZENSHIP ACT WHILE IN DOMINICA AN SR&O SUFFICES

The Parliament of the Federation of St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Nevis will soon debate an Amendment to the Federation’s Constitution as well as a few other pieces of legislation including the Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2020. These Amendments aim to reduce the number of years of residency that would qualify a […]

PART XIV: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ELECTORAL REFORM IN DOMINICA BY THE MUTI-SECTORAL CIVIC/RELIGIOUS/BUSINESS GROUP FOR CONSIDERATION OF SIR BYRON

In the last two articles of this series, we examined the report and recommendations of the Joint CARICOM-COMMONWEALTH-OAS Special Mission for electoral reform in Dominica and the immediate categorical rejection of the same by the Attorney-General on behalf of the DLP government. In light of the above and considering the tremendous concerns of Dominicans actively […]

VICTORY FOR THE RULING ANTIGUAN LABOUR PARTY GOVERNMENT ON THE POWERS OF THE PRIME MINISTER TO APPOINT MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET

Both the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) and the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party were victorious in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) system today.  At the High Court in Dominica, Justice Glasgow sided with the Applicants (the DLP) to strike out all 10 petitions filed by the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), while at […]

PART XIII: AG’S RESPONSE TO THE SPECIAL JOINT OAS, CARICOM AND COMMONWEALTH MISSION ON ELECTORAL REFORM

The DLP government invited a Joint CARICOM-COMMONWEALTH-OAS Special Mission to review and to make recommendations on reforming the electoral system in Dominica. The Special Mission submitted its report to the DLP government on 26 August 2020. The contents of the 19 page report were examined in PART XII of this series. To recap, the report indicated that […]

PART XII: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JOINT- SPECIAL MISSION OF CARICOM-OAS-COMMONWEALTH FOR ELECTORAL REFORM: A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR SIR BYRON’ S REVIEW

Having intentionally ignored the recommendations of past Observer Missions from the Secretariats of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS), the Commonwealth (COMSEC), and Caribbean Community (CARICOM), as well as those recommended of  local political parties, and business and civic organizations, the DLP-Administration in August 2019 invited a Joint-Special Mission from the CARICOM, the COMSEC and OAS to […]

PART XI: 2014 & 2019 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ELECTORAL REFORM IN DOMINICA BY COMMONWEALTH OBSERVER MISSIONS FOR CONSIDERATION OF SIR BYRON

In 2014, the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Dominica noted that elections were conducted in a peaceful manner and met several key democratic benchmarks, including freedom of association, expression, assembly and movement, as well as equal and universal suffrage and the right to vote. The high percentage of women who participated and won their seats was […]

PART X: REPORTS OF COMMONWEALTH OBSERVER MISSIONS ON 2014 & 2019 ELECTIONS IN DOMINICA–THE POTENTIAL SEED FOR HIRING OF SIR BYRON.

The Prime Minister of Dominica advised the nation that retired Chief Justice, Sir Denis Byron will not necessarily be serving as a “Sole Commissioner” to review and to make legislative proposals for electoral reform in Dominica, contrary to his initial declaration. Although Sir Byron has already commenced his work, he will be ably assisted in compiling […]

PART-I: DOMINICANS MAY HAVE ENDORSED THE NASTIEST ASPECTS OF DEMOCRACY WITH A SMILING LEVIATHAN?

The former Ambassador of Dominica to the United Nations, Mr. Crispin Gregoire, recently stated on a local radio program, “Dominica has reached an unfortunate stage… it has embraced a two for one leadership style adopted by the Roosevelt Skerrit Administration – whereby every elected DLP member is part of the executive and also legislative arm […]

AWAITING A JUDGMENT ON THE STRIKE-OUT APPLICATION OF THE ELECTION PETITION FILED BY THE OPPOSITION

“The inordinate delay bug which has infected our justice system is biting hard in Dominica,” lamented a caller on a local radio talk show- essentially echoing the sentiments of many frustrated Dominicans over the unreasonable delay in dealing with matters brought before the High Court of Dominica. It is approaching ten months since an election […]