The Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association has issued what is being seen as the strongest rebuke yet of Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s remarks against a judge.
The Association said it is “extremely concerned” about Browne’s recent remarks attacking members of the judiciary, particularly judicial officers considered too lenient in sentencing, and his threat to remove them from office, “tantamount to deportation”.
The organisation said it fully endorses the joint statement issued by the Caribbean Heads of Judiciary on August 12th and warned that democracy would be “gravely undermined” if court judgments are not respected.
It said the remarks are “particularly unfortunate and are unproductive,” especially with Antigua and Barbuda set to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) later this year, when the country “should be setting an example in protecting and promoting the rule of law and the separation of powers.”
The Association said any move by the government that appears to erode the judiciary’s authority, independence or integrity “is a matter of grave concern.”
It called on Browne and the Government to “respect the authority of the judiciary and ensure that due process is followed in line with the constitution and its international obligations.”
The statement follows the joint declaration by the Caribbean Heads of Judiciary, condemning remarks Browne made on August 10th during a National Security meeting on gun crime.
Browne told a judge to follow Parliament’s lead on longer sentences or leave the country voluntarily, warning he could be deported and declared persona non grata.
The Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association and the OECS Bar Association have also condemned the remarks, saying they threaten judicial independence and the constitutional separation of powers.
Browne responded on August 13th, saying his comments did not amount to an instruction against any judge.
He said “there has never been any request or action” by his government “to remove, or reassign or deport any member of the judiciary.”
The prime minister said he has written to the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court proposing an independent committee to review sentencing for firearm and other serious violent offences.
