Myrie ruling seen as boosting hassle-free travel in Caricom

Shanique Myrie

A landmark decision by the top regional court in a case brought by Jamaican Shanique Myrie against the Barbadian Government is being seen as paving the way for freer movement in Caricom for Guyanese and other nationalities.

On Friday, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) tossed aside a series of defences thrown up by Bridgetown and awarded Myrie non-pecuniary damages for the violation of her right to free movement within the Caribbean Community as enshrined in a 2007 decision by the regional body.

Myrie, whose complaint against Barbados drew widespread interest in the region, had also complained about a dehumanizing cavity search by a policewoman and the court found her to be a credible witness in relation to this complaint.  However, it was the CCJ’s findings in relation to a 2007 decision of Caricom on