The Dominican.net

Judith Pestaina is really catching at every straw. That is the sign of a drowning person.

The Facts

Skerrit's Biological mother is a born CITIZEN of FRANCE, she was born in Guadaloupe. She lived in Guadaloupe for a number of years before Skerrit" birth.

Skerrit's mother returned to Dominica to give birth thus Skerrit was born on June 8 1972. Although Skerrit was born in Dominica he was automatically a Citizen of France by virtue of the Fact that his mother is a born citizen of France.

Two weeks after Skerrit's birth his mother returned to Guadeloupe with her new born baby boy where she declared him as her child and registered him as a Citizen of France. Skerrit lived with his mother in Guadaloupe for about five years until he was brought back to Dominica to be raised by his Aunt, Nurse Stella and his Grand Mother.

Skerrit had a French Passport before he was one month old. Therefore, Skerrit French Citizenship is not of his own doing and does not prevent him from being a Parliamentarian.

It is shameful that the Opposition is now searching for every possible straw to grab at.

Shame on Pestaina. I think she should resign as DFP leader.

Jude Nicholas
Stock Farm
 

This raises the very valid question whether in fact mr. Skerrit's mother registered his birth in Guadeloupe.
There was, and is, of course no obstacle to mr. Skerrit renouncing any citizenship apart from his Dominican one. Indeed, in order to remove any possible conflict and for the sake of good governance he could have done so at the time he first pronounced himself to be a parliamentary candidate. If, during his tenure, he obtained a French passport by right, as has been suggested this would not only be crass but totally unforgivable and I sincerely hope, that the rumour mill has been grinding the wrong corn.
 

I can't help be be reminded of those "birthers" in the U.S. who maintain that Barack Obama cannot be president there because he was allegedly born in Kenya rather than Hawaii. If Skerrit's French citizenship comes from his mother registering him as a young child, this strikes me as a silly thing about which to be so upset.
 

Hey U, Jude

You U, the one in stock farm, How much skerrit pay you? No one is above the Laws of Dominica, come on Tony, spin this one, we waiting, do your research, and hurry up.

Dame Eugenia Charles
Roseau
 

Jude MBD< BS, CPA, PHD, DDS etc, you again, who don't you stick to your manipulation of figures and allow others to deal with the facts, Mr. CPA, apparently you lack the ability to analyze facts, or the price is too high for you to even pretend you understand. We know that the Skeritt apologists and defenders and proctecters. aiders and abeters, have a lot at stake, their very foundation may have been built of Skeritt's hollow, temporary bed of sand, there is much to fear! YOU telling me? I know, but, that ship of slyme will sink!! One way or the other! We shall see.

The Facts--- According to Skeritt tha pathological-diabolical liar and Jude his protector and defender! WOW, it must be true!

Skerrit's Biological mother is a born CITIZEN of FRANCE, she was born in Guadaloupe. She lived in Guadaloupe for a number of years before Skerrit" birth.

Skerrit's mother returned to Dominica to give birth thus Skerrit was born on June 8 1972. Although Skerrit was born in Dominica he was automatically a Citizen of France by virtue of the Fact that his mother is a born citizen of France.

Two weeks after Skerrit's birth his mother returned to Guadeloupe with her new born baby boy where she declared him as her child and registered him as a Citizen of France. Skerrit lived with his mother in Guadaloupe for about five years until he was brought back to Dominica to be raised by his Aunt, Nurse Stella and his Grand Mother.

Skerrit had a French Passport before he was one month old. Therefore, Skerrit French Citizenship is not of his own doing and does not prevent him from being a Parliamentarian.



The record Keeper
 

The birth place of a person is what makes the person a citizen. If Skerrit was born in dominica his birth certificate should say place of birth, is Dominica and that should not change.
 

wether he has a french pasport or not its not by choice he is a born dominican,i think the opposision is trying all kind of ways to get at him knowing that he is going to win
 

The fact is Skeritt acquired that passport in 2006, he did not get French citizenship at birth..............that is a blatant lie! Mr. Skeritt the pathological liar, has violated our constitution by serving as an MP and PM while he has dual citizenship. If he had any integrity, he would have declared his dual citizenship, but, we all know that he has no integrity. For your information, Mr. Jude "Judas", Mr. Skeritt is not above the law. If he is elected on Dec 18th, his election will be voided by the court. There is precedent for this in Jamaica, where last election three seating MPs election were invalidated by the court. Because, they had dual citizenship. These are the facts, Judas, so it is time for SKeritt to step down or be forced to do so by the court. Bye, Bye, Liar Skeritt and take Judas with you too.
 

I commend Judith Pestina and others for standing up for the rule of law and our constitution. Mr. Skeritt needs to lead by example, he cannot violate the law of the land with impunity. Dominica is a country based on the rule of law not the law of the jungle, as Mr, Skeritt will have it. Mr. Skeritt you are not fit to be Prime Minister of our country. Please do yourself, the DLP and the country a HUGE favour and resign forthwith.
 

How many of you have actually read the constitution of Dominica? I remember talking to a US based Dominican Phd in the treasury as I was paying the fees for my Sons passports, and this subject came up. They were not born in Dominica but they hold both US and Dominican Passports. Is that wrong, should they choose a country? Not if the laws allow it. They by extension of any parent who themselves are Dominican Citizens are awarded Dominican Citizenship automatically. Furthermore, a Dominicans can register the birth of their Child(ren) to the nearest consulate if this occurs outside of Dominica.

I have read the constitution and Alas, Mr. Skeritt is in NO Violation of these laws. Is Judith not a learned person? Why would she not check the law before speaking. How do these imbeciles expect to be voted into office yet do not know the law?

Qualifications for Representatives and Senators.
31.-Subject to the provisions of section 32 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified to be elected as a Representative if, and shall not be so qualified unless, he-is a citizen of Dominica of the age of twenty-one years or upwards; has resided in Dominica for a period of twelve months immediately before the date of his nomination for election or is domiciled and resident in Dominica at that date; and is able to speak and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read the English language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to enable him to take an active part in the proceedings of the House.

Subject to the provisions of section 32 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified unless, he-is a Commonwealth citizen of the age of twenty-one years or upwards; is Domiciled and resident in Dominica at the date of his appointment or nomination for election; and is able to speak and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read the English language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to enable him to take an active part in the proceedings of the House.

Disqualifications for Representatives and Senators.
32.-A person shall not be qualified to be elected or appointed as a Representative or Senator (hereinafter in this section referred to as a member) if he- is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state;
 

I am a lawyer and I have read the constitution, Mr. Skeritt acquired his French citizenship in 2006 not at birth. Therefore, he is in violation of the constitution of Dominica. Your ignorant and foolish responses on this blog makes no sense. If Mr. Skeritt wants to prove me wrong, he needs to go to the Electoral Office and show them his French passport, so we will know for sure when he became a French citizen. But, so far, he has failed to do so, because, he knows he is violation of the constitution.....this madame is the reality not your foolish interpretation of the constitution. If you don't understand the laws, I suggest you go to a lawyer and h/s will help you.....but, for God's sake, stop displaying your ignorance on this blog.
 

"I am a lawyer and I have read the constitution, Mr. Skerrit acquired his French citizenship in 2006 not at birth"

To this Anonymous person, if you have the evidence that Mr. Skerrit acquired his French Citizenship in 2006 and not at birth, just produce that vital piece of evidence. It appears that nothing said will satisfy you. Your mind is fully made up.

To you there is nothing wrong with Ron Green who is a US Citizen, his explanation is good enough for you. There is also nothing wrong with Bernard Wilshire who has a British Passport, his explanation is good enough for you. There was noting wrong with Krazy Tee when he contested the Grand bay seat for UWP, his explanation was good enough.

Skerrit's mother is a CITIZEN OF FRANCE she was born in Guadeloupe, I guess you would want to see her birth certificate to believe that fact. However if a female citizen of any country gives birth to a child isn't it a fact that this child automatically becomes a citizen of the mother's country of birth? What is there to lie about?

Since Skerrit's mother is a Citizen of France by birth all her children are automatically citizens of France at birth regardless of their birth place. All she has to do is to register that child at the nearest consular office or in a French Territory.

Are you therefore indicating that Skerrit's mother would take him back to guadeloupe in 1972 and not register the child? That is absured.

As a child Skerrit had been moving to and from guadeloupe especially during holidays spending time with his mother using his French Passport. I guess he has to produce and old passport for you to admit.

And even if he obtained a French passport in 2006 as you claim he would have already been a French Citizen who did not have a passport.

Clearly, Skerrit did not become a French Citizen on the date he received a French Passport, but at birth by vitue of the fact that his mother is a born French Citizen. He is also a Dominican because he was born in Dominica and his Father is a born Dominican.

Although I take time to explain, I am under no illusion that you will accept, your mind is fully made up even if you have no evidence to support your claim.

Jude Nicholas
Stock Farm
 

Jude, you should tell skeritt to produce his passport and French papers to the Electoral Office. He is the one who is the Prime Minister not me, so I don't have a damn thing to prove. He has not shown the Electoral office his passport, because, he knows he is lying, when, he said he acquired French citizenship at birth.

Our constitution states that anyone who acquires foreign citizenship, after the age of 21 cannot run for office. Those who acquired foreign citizenship before age 21 and by an act of their parents can stand for office. Mr. Bernard Wiltshire went to England as a child with his parents, it was them who filed for him......that is why, he has British citizenship.

In the case of the next Prime Minister, Ron Green, his parents filed for him to come to the U.S., when, he was a child.............that is how he got his U.S. citizenship. Both Bernard and Ron are operating, within the constitutional boundaries. Both men, can produce proof of their citizenship, if asked too. But, Mr. Skeritt can't provide proof of his French citizenship, because, he is lying. He got his French passport in 2006, not at birth as he is claiming. And, if I am wrong, you and Skeritt need to go down to the Electoral Office tomorrow and prove me wrong by producing Skeritt's French passport.

Jude, facts are facts, the law is the law, so don't make excuses for Skeritt. He is the Prime Minister, so he has to show proof not me. I am not the one elected by the people of Dominica to uphold the constitution.

I am really beginning to wonder if you bought your degrees, because, your arguments are flawed and devoid of logic. Stop making a fool of yourself and making silly apologies for Skeritt. It is time for Skeritt to show some respect to the Dominican people and come clean. If he is lying his election will be invalidated by the courts. There is precedent for in the Caribbean, e.g in Jamaica, three MPs were disqualified from seating in parliament, because, they hold foreign passports. I suggest you consult with a lawyer, who will be able to explain to you the legal process. But, stop coming on this blog talking foolishness. Our laws have to be obeyed, NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW AND THAT INCLUDES MR. SKERITT. ONE OF THESE DAYS, HE WILL BE OUT OF POWER AND HE WILL HAVE TO FACE THE JUDCIAL SYSTEM. Several heads of state have gone to jail after leaving office, e.g., Saddam Hussien, former President of Taiwan, Chen, former president of Peru, Fijimoro and the list goes on and on.................one of these days, Mr. Skeritt will be in jail. As a lawyer, I am all in support for maintaining the rule of law. There cannot be one set of rules for the masses and one set for Mr. Skeritt, hell no!
 

All I see is an utter disregard and disrespect to the Dominican public by Mr. Skerrit. If he is as innocent as he wants us to believe he is, he would provide the relevant evidence to prove it. The fact that he has decided to withhold said evidence, in my opinion, suggests guilt. We are not stupid. In the interest of time, seeing that we do not have much time to decide (only 11 days left!!!), I will interpret your silence as disregard for our 'power' and will vote against you. If you want my vote, prove to me you are worthy and display the relevant evidence. Your silence is not acceptable!


Concerned Dominican
(not a labourite, freedomite nor UWP-ite...Just dominican)


P.S. I have duly noted that you have not denied accusations and that in itself is a suggestion of
guilt.
 

There is a DUNCE ELEMENT that is riding rough shod over this country.

To the Anonymous writer, you have failed or refuse to accept the fact that Skerrit mother is a born citizen of France. Therefore Skerrit became a French citizen at birth.

The prevailing factor is that Skerrit's mother is a Citizen of France by birth and not by naturalization. Skerrit mother is not a Naturalized citizen of France in which case she would have to file for her children who are born outside of France. Then the adult age law would apply. Had Skerrit's mother been a Naturalized Citizen and she filed for him after the of 18 then he would have to renounce that citizenship to be a Parliamentarian in Dominica.

Since she is a born citizen of France all her children automatically become citizens of France at birth regardless of where they are born.
Therefore obtaining a passport in 2006 as you claim still has no effect because he became a French citizen at BIRTH.

Is this hard to understand and accept? I am certain as part of his nomination declaration papers Skerrit would have provided his mother's birth certificate to indicate in fact that his mother is a BORN CITIZEN OF FRANCE. In fact that would have to be provided and was provided. Please check with the Electoral Office.

Are you denying that Skerrit"s mother is a Born Citizen of France? or are you refusing to accept that fact. You refuse to accept that as a fact because it will flaw your assertion that skerrit passport was obtained in 2006.

Whether he obtained a French passport in 1972, 1975, 1985 2005 or 2009 that does not take away the fact that he was a French citizen at birth because his mother is a BORN FRENCH CITIZEN.

I wish I could educate you but as I said before, There is a Dunce Element that is riding rough shod over this country. I sincerely hope you are not one of them. Please rest assured that this is my final take on the matter.

Jude Nicholas
Stock Farm
 

Judas, if you really believe that Skeritt is tellling the truth, ask him to present his papers to the Electoral office for examination. Once, he does that the matter will be laid to rest. But, the Prime Minister has refused to come clean......what is he hiding? No, I don't believe he acquired his French citizenship at birth. And, I won't until, he provides the proof. Stop displaying your ignorance, you educated fool. Stop singing for your supper. We lawyers believe in proof not hear say o.k. Tell your lying P.M to present the proof to the media and Electoral office now.
 

Jude I hope you are not one of Skerrit's advisors. I believe that the PM deep down is a good man but then he surrounds himself with people like Jude, hartley henry, Mervin paul and he is in deep trouble. I hope you all will stand with him when he has to take the fall.
 

As a Dominican i am amazed at the idiocrasy of certain individuals and the fact that they are unashamely demonstrating to the world thier lack of knowledge. Citizenship have got nothing to do with the date of abtaining a passport. You are able to obtain a passprt if you are already a citizen. Mr. Wiltshire had to chose to become a British citizen, when he became an adult. He went to England bfore Dominica was independent so when he went to England he was already a British subject from the colony of Dominica, after Dominica became independent in 1978, he would have to chose to maintain his dual nationality.
 

Persons like Mr. Wiltshire did not have to chose between British- or Dominican citizenship.They qualified for both, ironically by virtue of Dominica gaining indepence in 1978. Dominicans, residing at that time in the U.K. automatically became Dominican citizens and simply had to change their, now obsolate status of:"Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies" (under which, I assume mr. Wiltshire would have arrived in the U.K.) for a full British Citizenship and relevant passport. This change was introduced, amongst others to further discourage immigration and some people objected, mainly because of the cost involved but I do not think they experienced any other real hindrances.
 

This is an attempt to use the same tatics that is so common to disgrace someone who appears to have brought Dominica through an economic crisis. You people talk about laws. Who made laws? Man. laws can be ammended according to events and situations. Attack the prime minister on the issues not on his birth place or his mother citizenship status.
 

I'm Dominican, Swiss, French and Burkinabè (Burkina Faso citizen). I'm a world citizen equally proud of each of my 4 nationalities covering 3 different continents: the Dominican one which is a unique blend of Africa, Europe and native Caribbean culture, the Swiss a small country where people with different mother's tongue can leave peacefully together, the French where part of the Dominican culture come from and the African one the real motherland of all Dominicans.
Reading some of the above comments it looks like I'll never be one day Dominica's PM, will I ?
Should I feel shame because I have 4 different citizenships ? Should I deny 3 and just keep 1 ?
I would rather put a lot of emphasis to establish powerful and longlasting links between Dominica and Africa for the benefits of both worlds. Both have to learn a lot from the other...
It's good to know about History but it's far better to experiment it by for instance a student and teacher exchange between Dominica and Africa. A lot of Dominican are proud of their African origin but without knowing exactly what it means... The world is small. Life is short. Just let the dream come true and try to go on the other side of the mirror.
Please do not loose time with stupid quarrels about citizenship. God bless Dominica!
 

Has anybody thought about what's going to happen the day when PM Skerrit will compete to be elected as Sarkozy's successor at the French Presidency ? Will he be blamed by the French to be the lucky holder of a Dominican passport ? That's the question.