THE EDITOR, Sir:WE HAVE sent the following to the Prime Minister:
Dear Prime Minister,
The Jamaican Bar Association has seen in the media that the Government of Jamaica and the Opposition are about to embark on discussions on the steps to be taken for the establishment of a final regional Court of Appeal.
We encourage the fullest collaboration and discussion between the Government of Jamaica and the Opposition and accept public
pronouncements of such discussions as
an expression of good faith and in the best interest of Jamaicans and the people of the region.
DUTY BOUND
We, however, are duty bound to remind you that the Jamaican Bar Association in Resolutions, from 1991 to the present period, has consistently invited the Government of Jamaica to promote public participation in all discussions and in the decision-making process. This is so, as the issue so fundamentally affects the rights of all citizens. These resolutions also called for full and comprehensive public education and discussions at the national and local levels of the constitutional implications of abolishing appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
We believe that our continued participation at the very highest level can only advance the process.
We call on you and the Government to involve the Jamaican Bar Association and groups representative of civil society in the critical discussions which must now take place.
IMPROVING THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
We use this opportunity to remind you of the urgent need to improve the administration of justice and the quality of justice meted out to the people of Jamaica. In particular, we call attention to our comprehensive presentations made on or about May 2000 to the Internal and External Affairs Committee of Parliament. We have submitted for the government's
further consideration our last submissions made before the Preparatory Committee in Montego Bay on January 27, 2004 concerning the short comings in the Treaty establishing the court.
Through this medium we communicate
our commitment, readiness and interest to
participate at all levels.
I am etc
ARLENE HARRISON HENRY
President
Jamaican Bar Association
