CCJ gives all clear for Ja gov’t to join Shanique Myrie case

Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has granted permission to the Jamaican government to join the Shanique Myrie case.

Shanique Myrie has taken the Barbadian Government to the CCJ on allegations that she was sexually assaulted by an immigration officer at the Grantley Adams Airport last year.

Jamaica’s application to join the case was heard last week by three CCJ judges led by its president Sir Charles Byron via video link to the Supreme Court.

In their submission Dr Kathy-Ann Brown, the deputy solicitor general and O’Neil Francis, from the Attorney General’s Department said the application was made to protect the interest of the Jamaican people under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Myrie is being represented by attorneys at law Michelle Brown and Nancy Anderson who are in support of the Jamaican Government’s petition.

The Barbados Government had earlier objected to the Jamaican Government becoming a party to the suit brought by Myrie.

Myrie claims she was subjected to forceful and brutish language by Barbadian officials at the Grantley Adams airport on her arrival there last year.

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

The matter had been put on hold pending the outcome of the application by the Jamaican Government to join the proceedings.

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