CCJ wraps up Jamaican leg of Shanique Myrie case

Shanique Myrie
Shanique Myrie

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) this morning adjourned its sittings in Jamaica.

The adjournment came after lawyers representing the Jamaican Government finished presenting evidence in the Shanique Myrie case.

The CCJ has been sitting at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston since Monday, to hear Myrie’s case against the Barbadian government.

Myrie is alleging that she was discriminated against because of her nationality during a visit to Barbados in March 2011.

She claimed she was subjected to a body cavity search, detained overnight in a cell and then deported to Jamaica the following day.

The case is scheduled to resume in Barbados on March 18 when the Barbadian government will present its case.

During cross-examination today, deputy director for immigration at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Ephieum Allen, conceded that the number of CARICOM nationals denied entry to Jamaica and Barbados in the last five years were not far apart.

Allen also conceded that there was not much difference in the vetting process used in both countries.