JAMAICA | Opposition Leader issues concerns over Report of the Constitutional Reform Committee

Kingston, Jamaica. May 14, 2024: Leader of the Opposition Mark J. Golding, has drawn attention to important issues of concern in the Report of the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) which he says needs to be taken into consideration in any discussion on reforming Jamaica's constitution.

In his letter to the Prime Minister dated May 7, 2024, Mr. Golding advised that, in addition to the fundamental matter of the final court of appeal, there were several other issues in the proposed CRC Report that are of significant concern to the Opposition.

The attached document setting out these concerns, was sent to the Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, via the Opposition's representative, Anthony Hylton MP, last week Friday morning, on the understanding that as Co-Chairperson of the CRC, she would share the document with the other members of the CRC for their consideration.

However, the Minister has not circulated this document to the other CRC members. Instead, she submitted the CRC Report directly to the Cabinet on Monday, bypassing the CRC members' opportunity to review and address these serious and legitimate concerns of the Opposition.

 Mr. Golding says this action clearly indicates a lack of intent by the Government to seek consensus with the Opposition on critical issues in the proposed constitutional reform.

In the meantime, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has expressed disappointment at Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s decision to instruct representatives of the People’s National Party not to sign a report containing recommendations from the Constitutional Reform Committee.

The Cabinet said on Monday that it had received the report of the Constitutional Reform Committee, without the input of the Opposition, which is said to be a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards constitutional reform.

In its statement, the Government said it remains hopeful that the Opposition will join in signing of the document, outlining that “a collaborative approach is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting constitutional reform.”

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