Privy Council decision in Barbuda airport case is reason to review regional justice system, Wehner believes

George Wehner is expressing concern about the judicial system –
not only in Antigua and Barbuda, but across the region – after two
concerned Barbudans were forced to take their fight for justice all
the way to the Privy Council.

After the lower courts had ruled that they had no locus standi to
bring a case against the Government on environmental grounds,
activist John Mussington and former teacher Jacklyn Frank appealed
to the Privy Council and won.

Wehner, the United Progressive Party’s mobilization officer, says
that a careful examination of the region’s justice system needs to be
done.

Because, he says, the Privy Council should not have had to rule on a
case in which there was precedent for the action attempted by
Frank and Mussington.

Wehner is referring to a Supreme Court decision in the case Walton v
Scottish Ministers, which the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
(ECSC) had ruled was not relevant to the Barbudans’ case. 

He also points to statements made by a former chief justice, who
noted that the ECSC is challenged by political interests in the region
overreaching into the judiciary.

According to Wehner, it is shocking that justice has to be sought
through our former colonial masters – since, apparently, the local
and regional courts are unable to render fair judgments once
politicians are involved.

And he describes the situation as laughable.

George Wehner, UPP mobilization officer.

Meanwhile, several residents tell REAL News that this case has
shown, once again, why Antiguans and Barbudans have a hard time
putting their faith in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).