If “common sense” prevails the matter involving the deportation and alleged ill treatment of Dancehall Artiste Jamaican, Tommy Lee Sparta, may be settled out of court.
This is according to Dominica’s Attorney General, Levi Peter, who said that discussions are ongoing between the Attorney General’s chambers in Dominica and its counterpart in Jamaica.
“Hopefully there will be more to say over the next week or couple weeks,” he said on Tuesday morning.
Tommy Lee has threatened to take the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) saying the removal of him and his entourage from Dominica was a breach of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs CARICOM and that they received that kind of treatment because they were Jamaicans.
Peter noted that no settlement has been agreed upon as yet.
“There is communication between us,” he said. “There isn’t a settlement yet but if it appears right from the discussions between us the matter should be settled amicably, that is to say outside the court. Then of course that is what will happen because common sense sometimes has to prevail.”
Leroy “Tommy Lee Sprata” Russell, 26, along with his three-member team, Tiasha Oralie Russell, Junior Fraser and Mario Christopher Wallace, were deported from the country one day after their arrival to perform at a concert in Portsmouth in February 2014.
The four claimed that were denied entry into Dominica and placed in inhumane conditions before being forced to leave the island.
The government of Dominica said they were denied entry in the interest of public safety.
The Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches had denounced the artiste’s appearance at the concert saying his music glorifies Satan and promotes lawlessness and violence.
As a Caribbean man and a Caricom citizen who travels the Caribbean, I would like to know that my right to enter any Caricom signatory is set in law and that it will not be compromised by irrational or arbitrary decisions. With this as the basis of my reasoning, I would prefer to have this matter settled in the highest court in a fair and transparent way so that all Caricom citizens will the assured that their individual rights and that of their governments are protected. Usually, when matters are settle “out of court” the settlements are secretive. In some private matters this is appropriate, however I am of the view that this case is not a private matter and the ruling(s) in this case must be made known to the Caricom public at large. I say LET THE JUDGES DECIDE and LET US ALL KNOW HOW THEY CAME TO THEIR DECISION
As more and more Caricom nationals are traveling throughout the Caribbean we will need established standards from which to operate.
I am passionate about stating the truth.
What is also shocking about this man is he was arrested for murder, was released on bail for murder and his traveling documents were seized. Due to this he had no right traveling to another country and expect entry and a welcome. Why was he allowed to leave Jamaica, to travel to D/ca to perform?
Was the Jamaican government, police authorities aware that he had left to travel to D/ca?
who did he kill?
I considered that he did not go through the normal immigration channels at the Jamaican Airport. This is why he chartered a jet to fly to D/ca to avoid the airport authorities.
Based on his reputation and the type of lyrics in his songs which are not edifying, the D/can government reserved the right to refuse him entry and to defend its rights, on behalf of D/cans, to disallow such a person entry. Other governments would have done it.
Canada in general is not really holy of holies but the Canadian government will refuse such people into the country, for the good of especially its youths. Why not the D/can government which is predominantly Christian?
Apprise the Jamaican government, this man’s attorney(s) of the right of the D/can government and the regulations of entry into the country.
The D/can government has the right to protect its nationals against such people of ill repute.
I wholeheartedly endorse that the government could fight this case also on this basis and refuse to settle, be it outside of the Court with this man and his Jamaican government. In this respect, Dominicans who are Christians, patriotic, and who are on the side of morals and principles, God, most of all should stand up for their government.
I will be extremely disappointed if the government settles out of Court with this man. I bet many D/cans will also be.
While you may have strong personal opinions, your postings indicate that you do not possess a good knowledge of the relevant laws. A sensible person knows when to walk away and cut his/her losses. Dominica does not have money to throw away!
I taught the church say that God answered their prayers when he was deported, so that’s what God has in mind then.to make us pay .
I taught? Or I thought?
Do you practice the faith? You need to pray to God for enlightenment.
Yes! God answered their prayers.
Know that the evil forces are prominent in this world.
God is patient. He is giving them all the time to either do good or evil. One will save them or condemn them.
Those who propagate, approve and encourage evil, in time they will receive their just recompense from God. They better not say, “I did not know; no one told me” for others have so informed them and they did not pay heed. They will not be excused nor exonerated.
what gets me angry is these hypocrites Evangelical Churches, doing all they dirtiness in the church, sleeping with each others wife, molesting little boys and the list go on, now they want to come and play most religious when Tommy lee was coming here, let them pay the monetary settlement if there is one, am sick of these hypocrites.
Hypocrite! Judge yourself for you are very well guilty.
How well do you serve God and through others?
No government have the right to tell a member of caricom he can’t come in. They can’t be denied entry to the country on such foolish reason. A set of small minded dimwits that’s in that government. An the church too!
The facts: stop talking rubbish. Not being welcome is no reason to get put in jail an denied entry as a CARICOM MEMBER.
What do you know?
CARICOM or no CARICOM; OECS or no OECS and whatever else, government of a country has a right to refuse certain people of ill repute in their country and for the sake of its nationals especially the youths.
This fool should get nothing,alll these fools do is sing violence,thats why jamaica has 10 murders per day.
There are times we could agree on certain matters. Thank God for that. I wholeheartedly endorse what you stated. Some will give thumbs down. It appears they are not operating in the interest of D/ca and also the youths whose minds could be contaminated from what those so-called artistes spew.
Some views should be taken into account, at least some of them, if feasible.
There are many smart people out there even though they are not the government, not CCJ authorities or attorneys. People do think of all what transpired from the beginning to the end of this situation.
Tommy Lee made up the story about the condition of the place. This is what the police station has and this is what D/cans who are arrested use.
For God’s sake, what is so different about Tommy Lee! The man made up the story so that he can concoct an exorbitant sum of money from the government. Then when he receives it, he will brag about it. He wants to be rich off D/ca’s money. This is why he decided to come to D/ca, knowing that he was not welcome.
He wrote a letter and stated that D/cans want to take bread from him and that he has a family (children) to support. Keep this in mind that the man was determined to come to D/ca and I reiterate, even though he knew he was not welcome.
You need exposure to real life. We invite you to Jamaica for a week.
We have known for years about Jamaica. We do not need to be invited. This does not mean if I so wish I will not visit JA.
Some of you always miss the point of what is stated in the article and some of the responses.
We are not stating that Jamaica is not a nice country and to visit. Every country has its beauty and also all types of people.
We are disputing the types of artistes and their lyrics including their reputation. For obvious reasons they should not be invited to Dominica.
That is not the issue.
The promoters paid for the man’s hotel, so the issue is what was he doing sleeping on a prison floor in Marigot in the first place!!!
The last time I checked, prison was for criminals: What Crime Did He Commit?????
Government of Dominica, utilize your common sense and good judgment!
Tommy Lee has stated that it is because he is a Jamaican why he was ill-treated.
Garbage and nonsense Tommy Lee!
If this is one of his complaints or primary one, this case should be thrown out and ignored. Now, if this is what T.L. stated, ask him to prove it. This is where the D/can government can win its case.
For instance, if I complained to the Human Rights Commission that my employer discriminated against me because I am a D/can and for the color of my skin or whatever else, I will be asked certain questions which I must respond accurately. If I fail to answer those questions, I lose that case.
One of it is, did the Immigration Officer and/or the police made any mention about he being from Jamaica, or laughed and stated he is from Jamaica and in a derogatory manner? You know, words to that effect which could incriminate anyone who made such a statement.
The problem is: The authorities never did tell him why he was being denied entry, never provided him with any documentation, never allowed him assess to a lawyer, just arrested him, and cuffed him, and locked him up!!!
DO NOT SETTLE WITH THIS MAN UNTIL YOU HAVE ASKED ALL THE PERTINENT QUESTIONS!
I would ensure that T.L. gets nothing
You know the man knew he was not welcome. He still decided to come to D/ca. He was told he cannot land in D/ca. He defied the immigration authorities. He is downright a bold man.
A case should be brought against him for he disobeyed immigration authorities and think that because D/ca is a small country he can do as he pleased and land in D/ca even though he was refused entry and that, our immigration officer is a nobody. THIS IS DISCRIMINATING AGAINST HIM AND OUR COUNTRY, DOMINICA.
In addition, the CCJ had it in their power to advise him not to come to D/ca, yet encouraged him. Of course, they encouraged him! If they had not, he would not have traveled to D/ca. The CCJ is to be blamed for it. If there is any payout, CCJ SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING Tommy Lee!
I would like to be a witness in this case, if it were possible.
All the questions have been asked and there is no answer forthcoming.
Whoever you are, are you implying that the Jamaican government has no answer forthcoming? Then, the case should be quashed. They do not have a case against the government of Dominica. Tommy Lee does not have a case. In fact, he should be charged for not obeying the Dominica immigration authorities, right from the beginning when he was told to return to the jet.
I hope the Dominican government takes note. He does not deserve a cent.
dno can u please remove this trash from our news? im begging u
It is necessary. I do believe the D/can government of all wants to hear the views of Dominicans. If you have any sense you will view it in this manner.
I thought these evangelicals said that there is no Law,that the law was done away with, so why they had to put the country in this mess?
A bunch of hypocrites are they “Remember to Keep The Sabbath Day Holy” which is the “Seventh Day” not the First Hypocrites.
Christianity is the worse disease to struck the world
You are more of a hypocrite than those whom you call hypocrites.
You lack godly enlightenment and graces.
Did Our Almighty Father, His Blessed Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit inform you that the Sabbath should be on a Saturday? Christians are the New Testament people. Is it there?
There are reasons why the day of obligation for Christians is on a Sunday. Since it commenced with the Catholic Church – Universal Church which was meant to be as Our Lord ordained, it is not for you to doubt, criticize, want to change and to sever.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our King, Saviour and Prince of Peace, did not leave us with lack of love, lack of peace, division and disunity. He did not leave us with two Sabbath’s. People as you created it.
As I always state, when you die the truth will be revealed to you. In the meantime, no one should waste their God-given precious time to argue with you for you appear to be beyond learning this godly matter.
i agree with you THE FACTS,,well said….
foolish words my dear” time will tell”…….
u don’t judge…u choose to follow what ever u want….whether 7day or 1st day….at the end of the day is ur heart with christ…God will be the judge of ppl not Your mouth….
Thank you! It never ceases to amaze me that there are some people who do not think. They lack this godly enlightenment. Time and time again I inform them about it. In this case, there is only one right.
I often consider where the souls of those who predeceased us and who were indifferent to the Catholic Church and its teachings are in eternity. One day we will find out.
A settlement out of court would be regrettable. Not because I enjoy seeing Dominica in the dock but after so much noise about the benefits of joining the CCJ it would give that body, and our govt. credence to have a legal ruling on this matter. If our government is of the opinion that they acted correctly in banning this Caricom citizen, for whatever reason, it would be important to establish that by a legal ruling. An out of court settlement, although it may be made “without prejudice”, is tantamount to an admission of guilt and a lack of confidence in the ruling of the court. That would always leave a sentiment of doubt in people’s mind about the legality of our actions and our wisdom in joining the CCJ.
Poor decisions by people who think that own the country and can do as they please without realizing the aggrieved have access to the courts to seek redress.
These are the people we have governing Dominica.
Dump decisions by people in authority only costing the tax payer’s pockets. They enjoy harassing people on that airport
You make no sense,Jobe
Sorry! I meant to give you “Like”.
I agree with you. This jobe made no sense whatsoever.
All travelers should know the rules and regulations of the airport which they must abide with as in any other country.
Tommy Lee was not given a rough time. I will keep stating that he knew he was not welcome and yet with the organizers (CCJ) they stubbornly encouraged him to come to D/ca. The organizers should pay for it.
D/cans have not yet been told if CCJ paid Tommy Lee for the contract which he must have agreed upon and signed. I hope they are not holding back something from the D/can people.
Of course they harassing you at the airport, asking you to declare where you are staying, what is the reason for your visit when you come home with your own DOMINICAN passport, having to fill in all that paperwork. Now they even talking about you paying a tax before they let you back into your own country. So much talk about freedom of movement in Caricom when we don’t even have freedom of movement in our own country. Chupes man, it is like a police state unless you are VIP of course.
All passengers have to go through this. No D/can likes to be questioned and pay taxes. When I went to D/ca on vacation I was asked similar questions. When I was leaving, I had to pay head tax which I did. It is better to comply.
If you have such concerns you should write the government/immigration authorities.