The CCJ yesterday struck down the mandatory death penalty on the grounds that it is unconstitutional6/28/2018 The High Court in Barbados can no longer impose mandatory death sentences on convicted murderers. Yesterday, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the island’s highest court, struck down the mandatory death penalty on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
The judgments which are the last which Sir Dennis Byron will deliver as CCJ President, as he will demit office next Tuesday, were delivered in a pair of unrelated death penalty cases from Barbados – filed by lawyers for Jabari Sensimania Nervais and Dwayne Omar Severin – that were consolidated because both appeals challenged the murder convictions of each of the men, and the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence for murder in Barbados.
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US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is set to retire, giving President Donald Trump the chance to cement a conservative majority on the top court.
The conservative has been a pivotal vote on many decisions including the 5-4 rulings that decided same-sex marriage and upheld abortion rights. In his letter to Mr Trump, Justice Kennedy expressed "profound gratitude" for having served in the highest court. Justice Kennedy, 81, will retire on 31 July, per his letter to Mr Trump. He is the second oldest justice on the nine-member court. He said his retirement was motivated by his decision to spend more time with his family. Dominica Grammar School 2018 Graduating Class has been called upon to always seek to learn more6/28/2018 2018 Graduating Class The Dominica Grammar School 2018 Graduating Class has been called upon to always seek to learn more. These words came from Featured Speaker Ray Charles, Campus Administrator for Ross University. The Dominica Grammar School is his Alma Mater. 80 students graduated on Monday under the theme "Education is not preparation for life, it is life itself." Featured Speaker Ray Charles, Campus Administrator for Ross University.
The Dominica Football Association (DFA) has given uniforms to its 2018 FIFA officials in Dominica. Assistant Referee Shawn McDonald, Referee Chavis Delsol and Clyde Cadette (who was absent) were handed their kits by the president of the DFA, Glen Etienne.
Etienne urged the officials to take care of the uniforms and called asked them to “continue to aspire for top Honours whenever they are called to officiate. He said, “I want you to take it seriously, yes you will look good and smart in your uniforms, but you have a job to do as FIFA officials. You need to continue training, and when you get the opportunity to officiate make good use of it, so that you can make yourself, Dominica, the DFA, and by extension the rest of the officiating team proud”. Head of the refereeing department in Dominica, Clayton Munro, also offered some words of commendation. He said to them, “Referees, the uniform is part of your gear, take good care of it, and when you get the chance to officiate, be it at the local or international level, grab it with both hands and make everyone proud…your destiny depends on you”. He reminded the referees that they will quickly need to get ready for the 2019 season, and must ensure that they are “physically fit”, so that they will pass with flying colors, when the time comes for the fitness test. The Dominica Labour Party has asked its female members to prepare for the next General Election6/28/2018 Women of the DLP were advised to arm themselves for the next General Election. Youth, Sports, and Constituency Empowerment Minister Justina Charles made that call. She advised the women not to forget all the good works that the DLP has done for them and their husbands and Boyfriends, and to let everyone know about it. Charles also advised the women of the DLP to use this as ammunition against opposition attacks. She went on to mention the policies put in place to empower Dominican Youth, such as education opportunities, NEP and Yes we Care. Charles reminded the women to encourage anyone old enough to vote, to register and vote, and elaborated on the programs the DLP Government put in place for the youth. Charles also highlight the government’s role in helping the youth acquire skill sets in Dominica. She said skilled work is very limited, and that is why the Youth skills program implemented by the DLP Administration is important. Youth, Sports & Constituency Empowerment Minister Justina Charles.
Bird Festival events in 16 Islands involving over 2000 people inspires young people across the Caribbean. Haitian youth were excited to have such a celebration in their country for the first time.
The Société Écologique d’Haïti saw the CEBF as “the perfect opportunity” to boost nature education in Haitian schools. 290 students in Forêt des Pins and Les Cayes learned how hunting and caging birds is harmful. They also enjoyed planting trees and learning how trees help birds. Ingrid Flores is delighted to add a new country to her map of events. She is the coordinator of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF). It is organized every year by BirdsCaribbean. Partners across the region host events as part of the festival each spring. Its focus is on the types of birds that are unique to each island, or to the Caribbean itself. This year, events took place in at least 16 islands and involved over 2,000 people. In the Dominican Republic, The Peregrine Fund led activities in five places during Ridgway’s Hawk Week. This beautiful hawk lives only on the island of Hispaniola. Listed as “Critically Endangered,” its numbers are falling. Over 300 people went on bird walks. They were thrilled to see a live hawk at one event. On Jamaica’s south coast, the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation visited children from toddlers to age 11 years at four local schools. At one school, teachers hung bird art made by the children in classrooms. To the east, 50 members of BirdLife Jamaica visited the Source Farm Foundation and Ecovillage. They joined residents for guided bird walks in the nearby hills. On the island of St Martin, groups worked to restore wild spaces. The island still shows damage from Hurricane Irma. Les Fruits de Mer launched a new nursery to provide native tree seedlings at their Endemic Animal Festival. Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) hosted visits to the Little Bay Pond bird watching hut, which was rebuilt with hurricane relief funds raised by BirdsCaribbean. Many BirdsCaribbean partners in Puerto Rico were busy in 16 locations, including schools. Here they spread the word about endemic birds. Students at a science high school in San Juan were full of questions. They expressed a wish to conduct their own bird counts next year. “As many islands still recover from hurricane damage, we were excited to share local birds and nature with people,” said Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean. “For the 17th year, the festival has reached thousands of people across the Caribbean.” Senator Jahisiah Benoit claims the DLP Administration’s work is what enabled partners' endorsement6/28/2018 Senator Jahisiah Benoit says The DLP Government's initiative to make Dominica the first climate resilient country in the world is a bold step and must be commended. He says this is one way of working towards securing the future of the island's youth. Benoit says it is due to the work of the current administration that Dominica is able to get several international partners' endorsement. Senator Jahisiah Benoit
Minister for Justice, Immigration & National Security, Rayburn Blackmores stands behind the DLP Government’s Anti-Terrorist Bill in its current form. He says there is an increase in the number of Caribbean countries being involved in terrorist activities. He referenced Trinidad & Tobago as one example of a CARICOM member state that is actively experiencing terrorist acts. Blackmore who is the Chairman of the current CARICOM Council of ministers for national security and law enforcement, states that Dominica has a mandate to implement harmonized laws against crimes of terror with the rest of CARICOM. He says questioning Dominica’s involvement with Isis and terrorist group is not a very smart thing to do, and believes that terrorist can use the Caribbean to facilitate their acts of terrorism. Blackmoore says the bill is part of an action plan by CARICOM member states working in concert with Global Partners to fight extremist groups, including ISIS and to fight aspects relating to terrorism on all levels. The Government will have to enact Anti-Terrorism Legislation with other CARICOM states within a certain time frame, but a protest of the bill on Monday, interrupted plans to have it passed in Parliament. Minister for Justice, Immigration and National Security, Hon. Rayburn Blackmore
UWP leader Lennox Linton says his party finds the anti-terrorism bill necessary for Dominica; however, he says the issue is with the definition of "terrorist act." The Opposition is to put specific recommendations in writing on or before July 15, 2018 to Attorney General Levi Peter, upon which more dialogue will be held on the proposed bill. The Question is" Why weren't recommendations requested in the first place before submitting the bill for discussion in parliament?" Opposition Parties here had been calling for more time for perusal of the bill by the general public. UWP leader Lennox Linton
Parliamentary Representative for the Wesley Constituency Ezekiel Bazil says the IDA $80M credit facility can do great good to the housing component of Dominica, if it is spent wisely. He stated in Parliament on Monday that it cannot be business as usual. Parliamentary Representative for the Wesley Constituency Ezekiel Bazil Parliament also approved a credit facility for Climate resilience projects, to include agriculture, but the sum must not exceed EC$13.5M Meanwhile, parliament has also approved a bill for an act to amend the customs act #10 of 2010. National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore sought to elaborate. National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore.
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