We do not accept that our judiciary is tardy or indecisive. Rather, a distinction must be made between the judiciary and the administrative aspects of the justice system – Nation newspaper (June 14, 2014)
It is taboo for the local media to be hostile at the judiciary. BU has been one of the few voices highlighting glaring inefficiencies in our legal system – see Tales from the Courts. Barbados is a society that is respected by those on the outside because our attention to maintaining law and order, AND, a functioning judiciary underpins an orderly society.
Minister Donville Inniss’ public acknowledgement last week that our delinquent judiciary is affecting international investment in Barbados has come as no surprise to BU. Successive governments have allowed politics – like every other thing – to affect decision making in the judiciary. Now we have corroboration from the Minister of Commerce and International Business of situations where business is not coming to Barbados because of concerns about the judiciary. Lest we forget, attracting foreign direct investment is important to Barbados to pay our large import bill AND allows us to maintain our touted high standard of living. Our per capita income is the envy of many.
Unfortunately our leading local newspaper in its editorial quoted above felt to make the distinction between the Court Registry and the Judiciary. This is one of the reasons why Barbados continues to decline on the social and economic indicators index – the failure of the fourth estate to come to the public with clean hands. The Nation editorial conveys the notion that Chief Justice Marston Gibson and Judges have no say in the scheduling of cases and the time it takes to deliver judgements. Of course the delays is compounded by the files at the Court Registry which mysteriously go missing. Meddling by the CJ and Judges has the knock on effect of prolonging justice to those who are remanded for unacceptably long periods. How often have we posted the maxim, justice delayed is justice denied?
There is a reason why this government moved heaven and earth to appoint CJ Gibson. To whom much is give, much will be expected. So far the CJ has scored a big FAIL on every report card since his appointment. Although it must be said he has done well to honour commitments in his social calendar. What does it say about the government, Barbadians, and the local media that our ineffective judiciary (Court Registry included) is not held to a higher standard? Why do we ignore the rights of Barbadians trampled daily because the system places them on remand for months and sometimes years before justice is meted out? Why are we insensitive to the fact a strong JUDICIARY is at the bedrock of the stable society that has defined Barbados in the post Independence period? Has our education system failed the nation that we are unable to solve problems on or tiny island? Does the promise by Minister Donville Inniss to sit down with the judiciary inspire any confidence there will be improvement soon? Have we seen improvement in the ZR and Minibus situation in the last three decades? What about the Queen Elizabeth Hospital? How about implementing the recommendations of a decade of Auditor General reports?
If we are not careful the society which many have slaved to build and has made us a desirable place to live may soon disappear. Already we have been reading many references to Barbados on the path to failed state status. It gives BU no pleasure to spot the torchlight on the underbelly of Barbados society. If we ignore how will we see the rot and smell the stench to remedy the problem? The traditional media has largely ignored its purpose and marches to the sound of ching ching.
As if to make sensible Barbadians more depressed at the current state of affairs in Barbados, we understand there is concern by the police about the ease with which persons accused of murder are being granted bail and continuing to engage in crime after being released. According to a Nation newspaper report, over the past four years 35 murder accused have been granted bail by the High Court, while 12, after being released, have been rearrested and charged in connection with a second murder, mostly involving guns and knives.
We do not trivialize the point the Court Registry and the Judicial system are separate arms that impact how justice is delivered in Barbados BUT for the Nation newspaper to point the blame at the administrative arm is dishonest and manipulative. Frankly there is a growing segment of Barbadians who are tuning out and when citizens become disengaged from participating in the several organs which drive our democracy, HELLO!
The following video is recommended viewing. It shows the underbelly of Venezuela’s society. Bear in mind this is a country rich in natural and other resources. Barbados cannot be compared to what is being portrayed in the video but it should serve as a wake up call IF we do not arrest the slide.
Marilyn Rice-Bowen, president of the National Organisation of Women.
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