KINGSTON, Jamaica (Observer) — The Jamaican Government has been given the go-ahead by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to join the Shanique Myrie case.
Myrie, who accused immigration officials in Barbados of sexually assaulting her more than a year ago, has taken the Barbados Government to the CCJ on allegations that she was sexually assaulted by an immigration officer at the Grantley Adams International Airport.
Jamaica’s application to join the case was heard last week by a three-member panel of judges headed by CCJ president Sir Charles Byron via video link.
The application was made by Dr Kathy-Ann Brown, the deputy solicitor general, and O’Neil Francis, crown counsel from the Attorney General’s Department.
The lawyers argued that the application was made to protect the interest of the Jamaican people under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) grouping.
The CCJ, established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council, also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the treaty, as well as deciding disputes between Caricom nationals and regional countries concerning the treaty, which include the free movement of nationals within the grouping.
In April, the CCJ awarded legal costs to Myrie after the Barbadian government conceded that she had a case.
The Barbados government had earlier objected to the Jamaica government becoming a party to the lawsuit brought by Myrie.
