(Trinidad Express) Government may decide to give jurisdiction to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for constitutional appeals on criminal matters, particularly murder cases.
Speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday, Housing Minister and Acting Attorney General Roodal Moonilal said apart from the move being an attempt to assert the country’s sovereignty after 50 years of independence, it was also a measure designed to address crime.
“This is also a measure that we intend to use to deal with crime so that we can quickly dispense with certain matters before the court and have faith in our own and conduct the business,” he said.
Noting that several commentators had raised the issue of the constitutional dimension to criminal matters and the Privy Council still having jurisdiction over those matters, Moonilal said: “They raise that as if it is a big thing. All it means is that when the time comes very shortly, we may or may not take the matters of constitutional appeal on criminal appeals, particular capital offences, and taking those appeals to the CCJ.
“It is a constitutional amendment that is required. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago with the requisite majority can alter the Constitution. This is the Parliament.”
He added: “So all those people who jump up and say: ‘This wouldn’t do anything’, they haven’t seen the legislation yet. This is the approach we would consider.”
He said the Opposition had pledged its support and he expected that being a “loyal, honest” Opposition, it would remain true to its word and support the legislation.
