Fundraising continues for Council’s PC case, while GLAN details real threat of Barbudans being blocked from the coastline

Barbudans continue to raise funds to fight their various legal challenges through an initiative operated by the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN).

Barbuda Councilman John Mussington reports that some £15,000 have been raised, to date, some of which will be used later this year to defend a case at the Privy Council.

GLAN is an international organization of lawyers who essentially provide their expertise, across the globe, to people and communities that are challenged by more financially endowed persons and organizations.

Since 2017-2018, when Hurricane Irma devastated the island and the Browne Administration attempted to change the legislation governing land ownership, and when, finally, the law was repealed, Barbudans have been mounting legal challenges in defense of their positions.

In November this year, Mussington says, there will be a hearing at the Privy Council to deal with the challenge to the airstrip on Barbuda, and this will be handled by GLAN.

Accordingly, the fund-raising initiative, which has been going on for about five years, will be the means by which the Barbudans are able to retain legal counsel to defend their rights.

Mussington says that a few lawyers from GLAN were recently on Barbuda to get a firsthand look at the situation on the sister-island.

He reports that, two Fridays ago, a village meeting was also held.  During this, the lawyers sought feedback from the Barbudans on what has been taking place over the years and more recently. 

The legal luminaries also provided the islanders with information that brought home, in a very stark manner, the extent of the threat to take the coastline from the people.  

Musington says it appears that the political authorities want to restrict the Barbudans to a reservation-type of living in the village.

The councilman says that, more and more on Barbuda, those with financial resources are being accorded preferential treatment and given the right to do just about anything.

In the meantime, persons who wish to make a donation to the fund may search online for GLAN. They will be directed to the website, where they can receive details on the crowd-funding mechanism; obtain information on Barbuda; or access numerous articles.