Professor Bain files lawsuit against UWI over sacking

Jerome Reynolds, Staff Reporter



Professor Brendon Bain has filed a suit in the Supreme Court challenging the termination of his contract as the director of the Regional Coordinating Unit of the Caribbean HIV/Training Network (CHART).



The contract was terminated last month.



In his suit, Professor Bain is contending that the action of the University of the West Indies to terminate his contract breached his constitutional rights of freedom of expression and thought.



He is asking the court to award damages.



In announcing his dismissal, the UWI had said it became increasingly evident that Professor Bain had lost the confidence and support of a significant sector of the community which the CHART programme is expected to reach.



Professor Bain's termination came after he provided an expert report in a high-profile case in Belize, in which a gay man challenged the constitutionality of an 1861 law that criminalises men having sex with men.



Following his statement in the case, some 35 advocacy groups had written to the vice-chancellor of the UWI, Professor E. Nigel Harris, indicating that they had lost confidence in Bain as the head of CHART.



The groups also called for Professor Bain to be removed.



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