THE EDITOR, Sir:
ON SATURDAY 12 October, in the article "Crime Control Plans - A review of the manifestos of the PNP, JLP," it was stated that "Amnesty International has criticised the PNP for creating a hanging court." This was in relation to the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify Amnesty International's policy on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
Amnesty International does not and has never opposed the establishment of the CCJ. Nor has the organisation ever referred to the CCJ as a potential 'hanging court.' We recognised that sovereign nations have a right to decide which is the most appropriate final court of appeal for their legal systems.
However, Amnesty International has been concerned that one of the motivations for the establishment of the CCJ appears to facilitate the resumption of executions in numerous Caribbean nations. Such concerns stem from statements by political leaders which declare that the rulings of the Privy Council that found the prisoner's constitutional rights had been violated and therefore prevented that execution illustrated "why we need the CCJ."
Amnesty International recognises that, as recently stated in Barbados, the CCJ will be of "paramount importance to the emerging Caribbean single market." The CCJ will also be of paramount importance to the protection of human rights in the region. To this end, the organisation hopes the CCJ will take into account internationally agreed laws and standards governing the protection of human rights into its rulings and will remain free from influence from those political leaders who wish to see the resumption of hangings.
Amnesty International will welcome the establishment of the CCJ if the court truly upholds the human, civil and constitutional rights of all those people under its jurisdiction.
I am, etc.,
PIERS BANNISTER
Amnesty International
London, UK
