Wednesday, March 17, 2010
UWP leader expresses disappointment with Dominica court ruling
The Dominican.net Newsdesk
Leader of the opposition United Workers Party Ron Green is expressing his frustration with a court ruling, which saw the postponement of the hearings for six election petitions to June 17, 2010.
Following the court ruling today, a clearly frustrated Green told the local media, “I am quite concerned about seeking justice in our local courts. Justice delayed is justice denied. This is obviously out of order. Our justice system needs to be reviewed.”
Green explained that the laws of Dominica are quite clear on saying that election petitions must be addressed expeditiously. He lamented the fact that by putting the hearing for June, it may take several months before the case is actually heard.
Meanwhile, government lawyer Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan said that he would ask the judge to “strike out all the petitions in whole or substantial part before it comes up for a hearing. It will be brought to the court before the end of this month.”
Astaphan went on to say, “we think it’s important that the issues be narrowed and the sustainable issues, if any, be identified, before we go to trial.” The government attorney also indicated that “petitions can be thrown out on grounds of improper pleading, no cause of action, or abuse of the process of the court.”
“We intend to take a strong position against the petition, whether we succeed or not we will maintain that strong line.” Astaphan also indicated that following the last elections, some court petitions put forward by the UWP was thrown out.
At today’s hearing, scores of Dominica Labour Party supporters thronged the court house, with some holding placards as they voiced support for their representatives.
The court is being requested to set aside the Prime Minister’s victory in the Vielle Case constituency and to allow the UWP candidate, former government minister Maynard Joseph, to assume the seat.
A similar petition was lodged in the La Plaine constituency where UWP leader Ron Green lost by two votes to Peter St Jean the current education minister. St Jean is alleged to be the holder of dual American and Dominican citizenship.
Other petitions relate to charges of bribery involving the payment by the government of airline tickets for several hundred overseas based Dominicans to return to vote for the ruling party.
Leader of the opposition United Workers Party Ron Green is expressing his frustration with a court ruling, which saw the postponement of the hearings for six election petitions to June 17, 2010.
Following the court ruling today, a clearly frustrated Green told the local media, “I am quite concerned about seeking justice in our local courts. Justice delayed is justice denied. This is obviously out of order. Our justice system needs to be reviewed.”
 Government attorney Anthony Astaphan is pushing for the petitions to be thrown out before the court date. |
Green explained that the laws of Dominica are quite clear on saying that election petitions must be addressed expeditiously. He lamented the fact that by putting the hearing for June, it may take several months before the case is actually heard.
Meanwhile, government lawyer Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan said that he would ask the judge to “strike out all the petitions in whole or substantial part before it comes up for a hearing. It will be brought to the court before the end of this month.”
Astaphan went on to say, “we think it’s important that the issues be narrowed and the sustainable issues, if any, be identified, before we go to trial.” The government attorney also indicated that “petitions can be thrown out on grounds of improper pleading, no cause of action, or abuse of the process of the court.”
“We intend to take a strong position against the petition, whether we succeed or not we will maintain that strong line.” Astaphan also indicated that following the last elections, some court petitions put forward by the UWP was thrown out.
At today’s hearing, scores of Dominica Labour Party supporters thronged the court house, with some holding placards as they voiced support for their representatives.
The court is being requested to set aside the Prime Minister’s victory in the Vielle Case constituency and to allow the UWP candidate, former government minister Maynard Joseph, to assume the seat.
A similar petition was lodged in the La Plaine constituency where UWP leader Ron Green lost by two votes to Peter St Jean the current education minister. St Jean is alleged to be the holder of dual American and Dominican citizenship.
Other petitions relate to charges of bribery involving the payment by the government of airline tickets for several hundred overseas based Dominicans to return to vote for the ruling party.
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// posted by TheDominican.net @ 3:56 PM
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I agree with Ron Green on the Justice Delayed and the case not being heard expeditiously..... this case should be heard soon, particularly as it pertains to the December Elections (3 months ago). The Judge is joking on this, and he should have taken it up right away and began the proceedings. If his ruling comes down in Ron/UWP's favor then a by election has to be called. Which amounts to more time and more delays before the people have a representative.
Ron, boy they doh like you pal!....
Keep Hope alive.
If you lose, doh cry and malpalay people...take your licks and move on.
Ron, boy they doh like you pal!....
Keep Hope alive.
If you lose, doh cry and malpalay people...take your licks and move on.
# posted by 
: March 17, 2010 4:55 PM
: March 17, 2010 4:55 PM
What exactly is going on in DA? The world is watching.....shame on the justice system, another reasonwhy we should not trust the Caribbean Court of Justice...TOO MUCH POLITICS in the courts...
# posted by : March 17, 2010 10:39 PM
: March 17, 2010 10:39 PM
Improper pleading, the throwing out out of claims etc these are time honoured delaying tactics employed by many legal eagles, these tactics sre usually employed when the defence are struggling, and are indicitive of not having a leg to stand on, A counter plea is required to expidite the matter, improper pleading is a nonesence in lagal terms, it is the laerned judge who decides and advises advocates to resubmit in a different framework so that it is aceptable to the court, this is what is called case management and the lawyers for the opposit side would know what is acceptable in any event.it is not for the defence lawyers to demand tha judge to delay matters this is not correct at all.
I must therefore pose the question to T Astaephan WHY, are you employing such laegal trivia to delay matters? surely if you were positive of a clear win you would have proceeded quickly in order to put to bed any doubt these are valid points and is a rather worrisome direction for you to take, to the lay man it tends to show that the claims have substance and validity.
I must therefore pose the question to T Astaephan WHY, are you employing such laegal trivia to delay matters? surely if you were positive of a clear win you would have proceeded quickly in order to put to bed any doubt these are valid points and is a rather worrisome direction for you to take, to the lay man it tends to show that the claims have substance and validity.
# posted by : March 18, 2010 6:13 AM
: March 18, 2010 6:13 AM
Well said anonymous. I read a lot of fear and concern in Tony's submission. I hate to say this but the UWP appears to have a strong case! I hope this thing is expeditied and dealt with quickly.
We need to know if our country is being led by a legitimate or illegitimate leader.
We need to know if our country is being led by a legitimate or illegitimate leader.
# posted by : March 18, 2010 10:39 AM
: March 18, 2010 10:39 AM
PRESS RELEASE: The National Task Force on OECS Economic Union continues its public education and consultation programme on OECS Economic Union in Saint Lucia with the visit of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit.
During his visit, the Honourable Prime Minister will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom of Movement in an OECS Economic Union”
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica is the Lead Head of Government responsible for Labour (Including intra-Community Movement of Skills) within the quasi-cabinet of CARICOM. This body has been constituted to spearhead action in sectors critical to the Region’s integration.
Prime Minister Skerrit will be engaging Saint Lucian youth on the topic and on the other benefits of an Economic Union. In this regard, two presentations have been planned, one in the north of the island and one in the south of the island. The visit will take place 25 – 27 March 2010.
During his visit, the Honourable Prime Minister will be speaking on the topic, “Freedom of Movement in an OECS Economic Union”
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica is the Lead Head of Government responsible for Labour (Including intra-Community Movement of Skills) within the quasi-cabinet of CARICOM. This body has been constituted to spearhead action in sectors critical to the Region’s integration.
Prime Minister Skerrit will be engaging Saint Lucian youth on the topic and on the other benefits of an Economic Union. In this regard, two presentations have been planned, one in the north of the island and one in the south of the island. The visit will take place 25 – 27 March 2010.
# posted by : March 18, 2010 11:41 AM
: March 18, 2010 11:41 AM
We cannot rush to judgment when matters of constitutional significance and international policy need clarification. Justice delayed affects not only the UWP, for there is nothing to indicate that they will win; I am sure the DLP would like as well to conclude this bother. Should the DLP lose, there are decisions to be made that will temporarily change authority within the ranks.
# posted by : March 18, 2010 6:37 PM
: March 18, 2010 6:37 PM
Fool, why do you post your press realease in the comments line. Why not send it to be published?
# posted by : March 18, 2010 7:21 PM
: March 18, 2010 7:21 PM
as I understand it this delay is a wrong decision on the part of Astephan it is a simple matter being complicated by side issues that are relevant only to a small degree, the issue is the dual citizenship of Skerrit on the one hand and the voting issue on the other, anonymous is right if the dlp wwere sure of a victory over the citizenship issue alone they would have to qote anonymous proceeded and put to bed the doubt, wining this point would have added creedence to the voting issue.
As it stands now all we can be certain of is doubt and uncertainty on both issues, I am sure that the uwp would not have brought this to the courts without substance and this doubt is giving the uwp a lot of creedence, which ever perty you support personalities are irrelevant the issues are the important factors here. sarcastic comments have no place in this matter facts are facts and on the balance of probabilities the uwp are ahead simply due to this delay and Dominica is weakened by it. is he or is he not, is he or is he not is all we are left with and this loses confidence not only in government but trade commerce and the very strenght of the dlp, it has to proceed and quickly, very quickly indeed.
As it stands now all we can be certain of is doubt and uncertainty on both issues, I am sure that the uwp would not have brought this to the courts without substance and this doubt is giving the uwp a lot of creedence, which ever perty you support personalities are irrelevant the issues are the important factors here. sarcastic comments have no place in this matter facts are facts and on the balance of probabilities the uwp are ahead simply due to this delay and Dominica is weakened by it. is he or is he not, is he or is he not is all we are left with and this loses confidence not only in government but trade commerce and the very strenght of the dlp, it has to proceed and quickly, very quickly indeed.
# posted by : March 19, 2010 5:45 AM
: March 19, 2010 5:45 AM
It is said Peter ST.Jean hold USA citizenship, so does Ron Green,the fact that he went to the US Embassy on the day before the Election to revoke his citizenship does not mean he is not a US citizen it is said he also has Canadian citizenship too, Eddison James, Bernard Wilshire, hold British Citizenship, why is OK for the UWP members to have dual Citizenship and not the DLP. Earl Williams was born in England yet he contested and won for the UWP.when a seat is won by the UWP member with Dual Citizenship it was all good. It is not a problem. Last Election Ron Green won the La plain seat by two votes no-one took him to court, Ron Green and the UWP needs to go back to the drawing board and see where they went wrong and start over.
Even if the DLP lost this case the UWP will not be in powder,the P.M. is one man he can stand down but there are 17 more elected member of the DLP, I fine this so amazing that the UWP hate the P.M. so much dear Lord theses UWP men are sick, sad and twisted.
Even if the DLP lost this case the UWP will not be in powder,the P.M. is one man he can stand down but there are 17 more elected member of the DLP, I fine this so amazing that the UWP hate the P.M. so much dear Lord theses UWP men are sick, sad and twisted.
# posted by : March 22, 2010 7:02 PM
: March 22, 2010 7:02 PM
NEWS DESK
This is BREAKING NEWS. It is strongly rumoured all around Roseau that the UWP has WITHDRAWN the law suit against the Prime Minister. There is no evidence that Hon Skerrit obtained a French Passport or travelled as a French Citizen as an adult.
The Prime Minister was on his mothers French passport as a child but never obtained a passport on his own accord.
Further development on the matter will made known.
This is BREAKING NEWS. It is strongly rumoured all around Roseau that the UWP has WITHDRAWN the law suit against the Prime Minister. There is no evidence that Hon Skerrit obtained a French Passport or travelled as a French Citizen as an adult.
The Prime Minister was on his mothers French passport as a child but never obtained a passport on his own accord.
Further development on the matter will made known.
# posted by : March 26, 2010 5:47 PM
: March 26, 2010 5:47 PM
Hey are some people in the diaspora who are assumed to be educated try to make fools of themselves all because of petty political biases? It is not the first time that election petitions are being brought before the courts in Dominica and neither will it be the last. The last I checked in almost every Caribbean country (and even in the US)some sort of court matter is taken up after an election usually because the losing side complain of some irregularity.These matters are usually quite drawn out. So why the obsession by some with this matter? Why would some idiots here even try to potray that the country is in some kind of constitutional uncertainty when the ruling party has such a large mandate?
I really feel sorry for some of you so-called educated diasporians, whether in the legal field, economics or otherwise. You guys were on the wrong side during the election campaign and are still on a wild goose chase after the elections.
DOMINICA IS IN SAFE HANDS UNDER SKERRIT AND THE DLP!!! Enjoy your 'firstworld' lives and leave us to our own here in our sweet DA.
I really feel sorry for some of you so-called educated diasporians, whether in the legal field, economics or otherwise. You guys were on the wrong side during the election campaign and are still on a wild goose chase after the elections.
DOMINICA IS IN SAFE HANDS UNDER SKERRIT AND THE DLP!!! Enjoy your 'firstworld' lives and leave us to our own here in our sweet DA.
# posted by : March 27, 2010 5:55 PM
: March 27, 2010 5:55 PM Links to this post:
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