(Jamaica Gleaner) The case brought by Jamaican Shanique Myrie against the Barbadian government had its first hearing yesterday in the Caribbean Court of Justice.
The hearing, which was in the form of a case-management conference, was done by way of video link from the Supreme Court.
Myrie is accusing Barbadian officials of a cruel and vulgar cavity search at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados on March 14 last year.
The case-management conference was held to ensure that all the relevant documents were filed and to determine the way the hearing should proceed.
A date was not set for the next hearing but it was reported that it is likely to take place in April.
Justice Adrian Saunders, Justice Jacob Wit and Justice Winston Anderson from the Caribbean Court of Justice presided from Trinidad at yesterday’s hearing.
Myrie is being represented by Jamaican attorneys Michelle Brown and Marc Ramsay.
Jamaica is the contracting party and was represented by attorneys-at-law Kathy-Ann Brown and Alicia Reid from the Attorney General’s Department.
First before CCJ
The case is said to be the first of its kind before the CCJ which is being asked to determine a critical issue which will be used as a precedent.
Myrie, 22, wants the CCJ to determine what is the minimum standard of treatment to be given to CARICOM nationals moving within the region under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and its goal of hassle-free travel.
Myrie is alleging that degrading treatment was meted out to her at the hands of Barbadian border officials at the airport.
Myrie’s lawyers had allowed time for both the Jamaican and the Barbadian governments to attempt to settle the issue.
However, when a settlement was not reached, Myrie’s lawyers obtained leave from the Jamaican Government to file the action.
