Patterson gets thumbs up from St Lucia PM

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony has lauded former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson for his staunch support of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

At the same time, Anthony has urged Caribbean Community nations to sign on to the CCJ as their final court of appeal.

"I believe, as he does, that it is anathema to any self-respecting people - particularly a people so valiantly throwing off the yoke of colonial domination - to place above our own judicial system an appellate court of higher authority than our own," Anthony said.

He was giving the keynote address during banquet held in Patterson's honour at the Round Hill Hotel in Hanover.

"The illogic of perpetuating such a situation should slap us forcefully in the face in the hope of restoring us to reason."

Anthony added: "Yet, the promulgation of the very idea of a Caribbean Court of Justice seemed fraught with doubt and fear and opposition.

"The arguments against were the usual mix of unsubstantiated rumblings, suggesting subterfuge and possible perversion of justice."

While Jamaica is a signatory to the establishment of the CCJ, Patterson, who served as prime minister between 1993 and 2006, had to adjust plans to make the CCJ Jamaica's final appellate court after a Privy Council ruling in 2005.

mark.titus@gleanerjm.com