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Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada voted Tuesday in a referendum to decide whether to keep the London-based Privy Council, or to adopt the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), as the country's final appellate court.
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Antigua, Grenada Vote on Joining Caribbean Court of Justice
“The result is a result that demonstrates democracy. The people have spoken and, certainly, we will need to reflect on the loss. However, I am of the firm conviction that as we move towards consolidation of the regional integration movement, our people whether in St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada or Antigua, the greater appreciation of the institutions that we have created will become even more appreciated, celebrated in order for us to find our place in the global community,” chairman of the National Coordinating Committee on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Ambassador Dr. Clarence Henry, said.
Authorities reported a low turnout of only 28 percent of registered voters in Grenada, with a 12,133 to 9,846 vote in favor of remaining with the Privy Council.
“The people have voted based on what they wished to see. As a serious Democrat, it (the result) has been accepted. I am not happy with it, but that has always been my position when results of elections are given,” Grenada's Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said.
Similarly, Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) disclosed that, of the 17,743 votes counted, 9, 234 voted to stay with the United Kingdom-based court to outpace the 8,509 who voted against the decision.
Antigua and Barbuda - and Grenada - will keep the London-Based Privy Council as their final court of appeal. Just 48% of Antiguans & Barbudans and 45% of Grenadians voted to adopt the Carribbean Court of Justice.#referendum #caribbean #antiguabarbuda #ccj #privycouncil #grenada
— Gemma Handy (@gemmahandy) 7 de noviembre de 2018
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Browne stated: “I urge them to go out and vote “yes” …and in any event, whatever the decision I will be guided accordingly, but as far as I am concerned I have delivered in the responsibility to make this very important option available to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
“I have discharged my responsibility to make the option of transitioning from the Privy Council to the Caribbean Court of Justice available to the people of Antigua and Barbuda. I think it is a great opportunity for them."
Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana are the only Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries for which the CCJ serves as the final court of appeal on civil and criminal matters.
“I am disappointed but I am in total acceptance of the results,” said Mitchell, before adding that he would not, as a prime minister, initiate a third referendum on the CCJ matter. In 2016, the CCJ, among another 6 laws, was overwhelmingly rejected.
Grenada's Prime Minister further stated: “I have said before … if this thing does not work, then the opposition doesn’t have anything to celebrate. They may have a lot of questions to answer. That is my own personal position."
Mitchell added that "history will also record who took what position when something absolutely crucial to the life of the people of the country was in fact initiated, and who did what."
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