BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Oct. 11 - DESPITE the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada moving to the people to determine the country’s position on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Basseterre is not ready to sign on.
During his recently held monthly press conference, Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris acknowledged that a position has not been taken by Cabinet.
“Cabinet has not made a determination with regards to that matter,”, PM Harris said.
He noted that it is a matter that will be considered at an appropriate time.
“At this moment I would think there is a sense that the privy council is favoured by the national community. It is one of the matter, before we attend to this, we would put before the people; have an educational programme with regards to any movement away from the Privy Council and get a good grounding from the people where they want to go,” added Dr. Harris.
The matter of islands joining the CCJ has been one that has seen many talks at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) level. However, only a few countries, including Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados has signed on.
Though PM Harris did not state where the information on how he is aware that the national community favoured the Privy Council came from, the current government took a court case prior to the 2015 election and won.
However, travelling to the London-based Privy Council comes with a hefty price, according to many.
Currently, regional officials are holding educational drives across Grenada as that island moves closer to a referendum vote.
Dr. Harris pointed out that there are strong views for and against on that matter, adding that “It is a matter someday we will have to confront, we don’t need to confront it today, so it is not a priority consideration at this time for the Team Unity administration.”
Both Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda are schedule for the polls on November 6th.
