KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—Jamaica’s Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) says it will soon submit to the cabinet cabinet a list of recommendations as the island moves towards a smooth transition to a republic.
“The document is being prepared for the signature of Committee members. You can be assured that in the same way, we have put all the confirmed meeting minutes online, and the report will go to the Cabinet and be tabled in Parliament. We will have an opportunity as a nation to discuss it fully,” said Legal and Constitutional Affairs Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte.
The recommendations address matters in Phase 1 of the constitutional reform work program, which includes abolishing the monarchy, establishing the Republic of Jamaica, and proposing amendments to the profoundly entrenched provisions for which a referendum is required.
Addressing the launch of the Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ)—European Union (EU) project for the “Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Jamaica,” she said, “There are many lessons to be learned about how the work is done, and I hope that we will demonstrate in a real way…that will build the trust and consensus that is required to move the work forward.”
The CRC chair also praised the contributions of constitutional law expert Dr. Lloyd Barnett to the CRC’s work so far.
“Jamaica is blessed to still have with us someone who is a true expert in the field of Constitutional Law and who has dedicated his life to reforming Jamaica’s supreme law, and I deem it such an honor and a privilege to have him as part of this process,” Mrs. Malahoo Forte said.
The CRC has already indicated that its work will be undertaken in phases, focusing on abolishing the constitutional monarchy and establishing the Republic of Jamaica.
The Committee aims to provide expert guidance and oversight to the government and the population during the constitutional reform process and implement recommendations on the consensuses reached.
The Committee is also expected to build consensus in areas where it has been eroded or needs to be revised on essential matters related to the process. It will also be required to assess how the passage of time has impacted the recommendations of the 1995 Joint Select Committee on the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Report.
Members will, additionally, advise on what fresh perspectives should be considered in light of previous and current national, regional, or international developments and propose any necessary modifications to update the recommendations for implementation.
The government intends to hold a referendum on Jamaica’s proposed transition to a republic.
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