12460: NY TIMES: Caricom Meets on Haiti and High Court (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: JD Lemieux <lxhaiti@yahoo.com>


New York Times

July 3, 2002
Caribbean Nations to Discuss a High Court
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


EORGETOWN, Guyana, July 2 -- Leaders of the 15-nation
Caribbean Community gather here on Wednesday to discuss
financing for a proposed regional court and the crisis in
Haiti.

Other key issues for the three-day meeting include
preparations for talks on regional economic partnerships
under the Cotonou Agreement between the European Union and
the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

The legal adviser of the Caricom Secretariat, Duke Pollard,
said the leaders would discuss proposals for the Caribbean
Court of Justice. The court, to be financed through a trust
fund, would appoint judges by international commission to
insulate appointments from politics.

Unlike courts of justice in Europe, the Andean region and
Central America, appointments would not be made by
ministers of government, Mr. Pollard said. The proposed $93
million trust fund could be financed by a loan from the
Caribbean Development Bank.

The court, which is to be based in Trinidad, is expected to
be the final criminal court of appeal for Caricom nations
and to rule on trade matters.

Except for Guyana, Haiti and Suriname, the Privy Council in
London is constitutionally the final court of appeal for
the 12 other Caricom nations. That arrangement could only
be amended if it is supported by two-thirds of the
Parliament in London.

Caribbean countries are upset at several Privy Council
rulings that reduce the likelihood of having the death
penalty imposed on people convicted of murder.

In addition, President Jean Bertrand Aristide of Haiti is
expected to receive a detailed update from leaders about
efforts to persuade donors to release at least $500 million
in aid.


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