Barbados objects to Ja Gov't joining Myrie suit

Jerome Reynolds, Gleaner Writer

The Barbados Government has objected to an application by the Jamaican Government to become a party to the suit brought by Jamaican Shanique Myrie.

Barbados made the objection in legal documents the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is now reviewing.

The Caribbean Court is expected to decide soon if it will uphold the arguments and proceed with the case or call a hearing regarding Jamaica’s application.

The Jamaican Government is seeking leave to enter the proceedings as it believes the court action has implications for Jamaica and Jamaicans and says it wants to protect those interests.

Myrie’s lawyer, Michelle Brown, has supported the Jamaican government’s petition.

Shanique Myrie took the Barbadian Government to the CCJ on allegations that she was sexually assaulted by an immigration officer in Barbados last year.

Myrie claimed that she was also subjected to forceful and brutish language by the officials at the Sir Grantley Adams International Airport on her arrival.

In April, the CCJ awarded legal cost to Myrie after the Barbadian government conceded that she had a case.

The matter was expected to go to case management but has been put on hold pending the outcome of the application by the Jamaican Government to join the proceedings.

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