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The rule of law in Jamaica is under serious threat, following the government's opposition to the appointment of Stephen Vasciannie as Solicitor General of Jamaica, and its subsequent dismissal of the Public Service Commission for alleged "misbehaviour".

Under Jamaica's constitution, the Public Service Commission has the exclusive authority to select persons for appointment to positions in Jamaica's civil service. The Solicitor General is one such position. The Solicitor General has overall administrative responsibility for the running of the Attorney General's Department. The Attorney General is appointed directly by the Prime Minister, and is therefore a political appointee.

In October 2007, Stephen Vasciannie was selected by the PSC for appointment as Jamaica's next Solicitor General. Contrary to Jamaica's constitution, Prime Minister Bruce Golding opposed the selection of Stephen Vasciannie as Jamaica's next Solicitor General. When the PSC refused to back down from its recommendation of Stephen Vasciannie, the PM dismissed the members in mid-December 2007. The Prime Minister claimed that he was dismissing the PSC members for "misbehaviour". Dismissal for "misbehaviour" is possible under Jamaica's constitution. However, the grounds of misbehaviour cited by the PM appear at best to be tenuous, and at worse, a cynical attempt to corrupt the autonomy of the PSC. The dismissal of the PSC has been challenged in the Jamaican courts by the Leader of the Opposition. I note with satisfaction that four of the five PSC members filed suit against the Prime Minister at the end of January 2008. Unfortunately, full trial is not scheduled until December 2008, primarily, if not solely, at the behest of the lawyers representing the AG and PM. In this respect, I do believe that the judiciary has dropped the ball in allowing the hearing to be deferred for so long.

[Editorial note-December 08, 2008- the litigation has now been settled]

I will post a number of news paper stories and articles that have been published on this issue, as well as other relevant information, such as the constitutional provisions that govern the PSC. I will also offer commentary from time to time on developments as they arise.

Most importantly, I do hope that interested Jamaicans and others will use this blog as a forum for the exchange of information and views. Needless to say, disagreement is more than welcome, but not disrespect.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Gov't axes Vasciannie from Air Policy Committee- Sunday Observer, Feb 03, 2008

The Sunday Observer has also published a story on the removal of Prof. Stephen Vasciannie as chairman of the Air Policy Committee. There appears no rhyme or reason for replacing Stephen Vasciannie, an expert in international law/relations, with Noel Hylton, a septuagenarian, who has no similar experties. This action by the government, combined with the derailment of Prof. Vasciannie's selection as Solicitor General is indicative of a sinister agenda to undermine or discriminate against Prof. Vasciannie, regardless of the competence he brings to either position.

In November 2007, the Attorney General had objected to Prof. Vasciannie's selection as SG because of a purported lack of litigation experience. This objection cannot validly be invoked with respect to Prof. Vasciannie's chairmanship of the Air Policy Committee, given Prof. Vasciannie's undisputed credentials in the area of international law/relations.

This development further confirms the government's agenda of arbitrary governance, despite the lofty promises of 'inclusiveness' made by the Prime Minister at his inauguration.


See the Observer story at: http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Sk1PLzIwMDgvMDIvMDMjQXIwMDMwMg==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Posted by Hilaire Sobers at 5:00 PM

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