The Appeal Court debate

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I MUST congratulate The Gleaner on keeping the public informed and in presenting all sides of the current debate surrounding the desirability of a Caribbean Court of Appeal. I am particularly grateful for the two articles on the recent decision of the Privy Council in England, written by Delroy Chuck on October 11, 2000 and Berthan Macaulay's response on October 18, 2000 to Delroy Chuck's analysis.

If I am to believe what I read in the article written by Berthan Macaulay, the Privy Council has tragically exceeded its authority. Unfortunately its opinion will stand until either a constitutional amendment is made (highly unlikely), or the court reverses itself. This bad decision serves only to provide further evidence of the apparent lack of sensitivity of the court to the aspirations of Caribbean people and its disregard for their elected officials by blatantly usurping the powers of the Governor-General, notwithstanding our apathy for the office.

I am in favour of retaining the current Privy Council as it operates as a brake on the excesses and tyranny of would-be despots in the Caribbean. And we cannot be too careful on this score, but because of the dichotomy of our situation, those who determine our fate from a distance are also free to impose their values on us. For this latter reason, I would support a search for a more ameliorating proposal than is currently on the table.

I am etc.,

AUDLEY ECCLES

E-mail: aeccles@aol.com

6816 SW 38 Street

Miramar, Florida

Via Go-Jamaica

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