CCJ begins hearing Jamaican Shanique Myrie’s case

The first hearing in the case brought by Jamaican Shanique Myrie against the Barbadian Government, began in the Caribbean Court of Justice, by way of video link with the Supreme Court in Kingston this morning.



The Jamaican woman is accusing Barbadian officials of a cruel and vulgar cavity search at the Grantley Adams International Airport on March 14 last year.



At the case management conference this morning, officials were satisfied that all the relevant documents had been filed.



A date is to be communicated for the start of the trial.



It is expected that the matter is likely to be heard in April.



Justice A Saunders, J Wit and W. Anderson from the Caribbean Court of Justice heard the matter this morning.



Myrie is being represented by Jamaican attorneys Michelle Brown and Marc Ramsay.



Lawyers representing the attorney general’s office were also present.



In the case is said to be the first of its kind before the CCJ, Myrie is asking the court to determine a critical issue which will be used as a precedent.



Shanique Myrie, 22, wants the CCJ to determine what is the minimum standard of treatment to be given to CARICOM nationals, moving within the region under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and its goal of hassle-free travel.



Myrie is alleging that degrading treatment was meted out to her at the hands of Barbadian border officials at the airport.



The law firm had allowed time for both the Jamaican and the Barbadian governments to attempt to settle the issue.



However, when a settlement was not reached, Myrie’s lawyers obtained leave from the Jamaican Government to file the action.



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