BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – JUST about 24 hours after Dominican immigration officials blocked Jamaican Dancehall artiste Tommy Lee’s entry into the island for a concert slated for last evening (Feb. 24), lawyers involved in the issue will now move to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
According to the Dominica News Online, Tehani Behanzin - Lee’s attorney - disclosed, “I have been in discussion with his management team … they have already instructed lawyers in Jamaica to prepare a CCJ case for damages because the issue with Tommy Lee’s denial of entry into Dominica falls under the Treaty of Chaguaramas,” he told privately-owned Q95 on Monday morning. “Those provisions are decided and taken care of by the CCJ.”
The Treaty of Chaguaramas which established the Caribbean Community and Common Market, later known as CARICOM was signed on July 4, 1973 in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago.
The media house also reported that the attorney added that there are “constitutional breaches” which will be filed in court today. He said it appears the authorities are trying to deport the artiste from Dominica this afternoon.
“We will try to stop the deportation,” he said.
The attorney also told the online news that Tommy Lee was taken to the Marigot Police Station because the Melville Hall Airport has no place designated for those detained, to meet with attorneys.
The attorney stated that after Tommy Lee was taken into custody he was denied legal representation, which he said is wrong adding that his client was strip-searched in public.
“Once you detain somebody you cannot deny them legal representation,” he noted. “What happen is that custom and immigration believe and feel once they hold you, then your constitutional rights all disappear. I keep impressing that upon them, you cannot deny somebody you have detained, legal representation.” Dominica Online News reported.
Up to sometime yesterday (Feb. 24), authorities have not given reason for the arrest and Tommy Lee’s denial of entry and detention, according to Behanzin. Tommy Lee, who was set to perform in Portsmouth on Sunday night, was denied entry when his jet landed in Dominica on Sunday evening.
However, it was reported that the artiste was subsequently arrested after he and his entourage reportedly refused to return to their jet. The religious fraternity in Dominica had expressed opposition to the concert saying the artiste’s music promotes violence and satanism.
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