COMMENTARY: Dominica’s democracy at the crossroads

A forest – in all its splendor – is often best appreciated from a distance.  From a distance all one sees is ofttimes a seamless green blanket, in undulating beauty. However, it is only in the midst of the forest – and close up – that one appreciates the coiled vines, rough bark and the towering tree trunks which support the lofty leaf-laden branches. So too with democracy, one can only fully understand what constitutes its gross anatomy by grasping a deeper understanding of its roots and what makes it work.

What do we teach our people, no less our children, of the genesis of Dominica’s democracy? What does the average person on Dominica know of that man whose bust sits atop the plinth at the top of Federation Drive, at the center of its roundabout? That bust of self-government advocate and attorney Cecile Rawle is really a tribute to his role in fostering our democracy.

In 1920s colonial Dominica, an unelected legislature ruled our affairs. The administrator installed by Britain reigned supreme on the island and the average citizen had no say in parliament.  Confronted with that inequity, British-trained attorney Cecile Rawle and local planter/businessman, John Baptiste “JB” Charles (the father of the late Prime Minister Dame Eugenia Charles) formed the Dominica Representative Government Association. Their advocacy of voting rights for Dominicans brought locals into parliament; both Rawle and Charles later being elected to serve. By 1945, the working class had a champion in the Dominica Trade Union. In 1951, universal adult suffrage was born of that long struggle – Dominicans now had the right to vote, without regard to their property holdings. A new democracy was being born. By 1961, the Dominica Labour Party led by agriculturist Edward Oliver LeBlanc swept the working class and rural peasanty into power. LeBlanc, as Chief Minister, supported the British West Indian Federation and built the foundations of a social democracy focused on equality of opportunity.

In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s we had a flowering of new civil society institutions representing all segments of Dominican society.  These organizations were non-governmental and served to buttress the rights of the ordinary citizen; often acting as a brake on government excesses or errant conduct where it arose.

Where are we now? What are the costs to a society when its civil society organizations atrophy, wither away and die?

In a case of criminal assault upon peaceful citizens by the Prime Minister’s allegedly close associate who points a pistol at their heads, the most astounding thing happens. In the middle of the trial, the judge discovers that there is no pistol to be found in evidence; it has been handed back to the accused due to the intervention of a “higher authority.”  The judge bravely orders that the pistol be found. Later, after the trial results in the conviction of the Prime Minister’s associate, the judge discovers that his services are no longer needed by the state; with his contract not renewed, he is off the bench.

We know that such alarming conduct is not our tradition. We know that when the three masqueraders were burnt in that tragic carnival fire of February 25, 1963, a coroners’ inquest was held within days, and “foul play” was found as the likely cause. Within months a commission of inquiry was impaneled, Scotland Yard trained Police Commander Slater was called in to investigate, and witnesses were subpoenaed to testify; all overseen by an impartial Grenadian Judge E.L. St. Bernard. That no trial was pursued to finality does not erase the fact that speedy steps were taken to assure the public that the rule of law and due process were in place.

Today, more than a decade after the attempted murder on Christmas Day 2010 of retired Judge Glenworth Emmanuel and his wife Greta, we have silence. Where is our government?  Where is our independent judiciary? What of the attorney general?  Are coroners’ inquests still held on the island?  Is that silence due to the fact that the alleged mastermind is allegedly linked to the Prime Minister?

More troubling has been the statements of the government’s legal advisor whose public utterances infer that the attempted murder allegation is lacking in credibility and should be closed.  Are we to accept the public utterances of the government legal adviser as the sum total of how justice is done on Dominica?  What macabre value construct have we allowed to metastasize, as some cancerous growth, in our beloved homeland? What has happened to the procedural and institutional framework, born of an independent judiciary and police force, upon which the population can rely? Today it would seem that the torch of liberty, and the quest for truth, resides in the hands of our valiant calypsonians and talk show hosts on WICE Q95.

Are the values of the nation now governed by the Prime Minister’s statement with regard to his eligibility to serve in elected office, “No law or constitution can prevent me from running for election?” The same Prime Minister could have spared the nation and his reputation much trouble by simply testifying truthfully whether or not he has ever possessed a French Passport as an adult. One cannot be trusted to govern a country where he or she refuses to testify in a case involving eligibility for public office.  In a trial on his eligibility to hold office, the Prime Minister refused to speak in court. The presiding Judge, Gertel Thom, allowed him to dodge cross-examination; she quashed a subpoena for his travel documents – though she arguably had the inherent power to order him to show his passport. Her actions have further degraded the public trust in the independence of our judiciary.

The Prime Minister’s lawyer in the case was Tony Astaphan, who, in the past had served the Antiguan government of which Judge Thom was once part; having served as attorney general.  Such closeness by a judge to an advocate who served her government as legal counsel reasonably argues for voluntary recusal by the judge to protect against any appearance or charge of bias.   To the disservice of the judiciary, such facts are now weighed in the balance as to the judge’s impartiality in judgment. Whatever the judge’s decision, for a politician to remain silent and so avoid self-incrimination when his eligibility to stand for office is queried, strikes at the heart of a citizenry’s right to have transparent leaders.

Democracy is about a value system that respects rule of law, accountability to the governed, and transparency in governance. Democracy can only flourish where truth is exalted.  Today, as a nation, we do not even know whether the so-called MOU with China rendered us a neo-colony of that state. Why has the Prime Minister been so secretive about whatever deal he struck with China? Dominica is not the Prime Minister’s personal fiefdom. He owes a duty to every Dominican citizen to clearly state – in detail – what the MOU entails.  Yet, the government – which owes us total transparency in the matter – has never published an original signed document with the Chinese for the entire nation to see. The Prime Minister is duty-bound to tell the nation the truth.  Regrettably, the government’s chief spokesperson, Philbert Aaron, once  argued that there is no truth in politics.  The government spokesman has embraced a system that disregards truth as the desired value.   I posit that the decline in democratic-loving rule of law values proceeds in tandem with the decline of civil society organizations with which to buttress our democracy.

Many of the civil society organizations we had under colonial rule are moldering in the grave, where they have not been castrated or bought off.  In the absence of a strong civil society, one-man rule is on the ascendancy. This is the time of idols; the Big Chief, the Supreme Leader, Our Father who doles out cash to pimp the poverty of the vulnerable, and those who would sing songs of praise.  Who shall speak when “one-man rule” so cows a cabinet and a people, that none dare tell the emperor he has no clothes?

Famous African American journalist Ida B. Wells, in her autobiography Crusade for Justice (University of Chicago Press 1970) stated:  “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” She goes on to argue that although the United States does have some “wonderful institutions” to protect our liberty, we have grown complacent and need to be “alert as the watchman on the wall.” So too in Dominica; we can only preserve our democracy where we consistently work at it.   In the spirit of Ms. Wells, we here salute the Dominica Chronicle and its late proprietor Frank Baron for assuming that noble role. And we ask democracy-loving Dominicans to reflect on the fact that our independence and freedom were attained with the blood, sweat, and toil of our anti-slave Negre Maron (Maroon) freedom fighters such as Jaco, Balla, Pharcelle, and Congoree; and those modern heroes such as Loblack, Allfrey, and LeBlanc who took up their mantle.

Today, Dominica’s democracy is at a crossroads. Money from passport sales estimated to be in the amount of 4.2 billion dollars is missing from the government consolidated fund. A mysterious Middle Eastern operative close to Prime Minister Skerrit is given the contract for a new international airport without the benefit of public tender. A population cowed by the filing of bogus criminal charges against opposition figures is mostly quiet as freedom of association is suppressed and political victimization reigns supreme. Few question the actions of the Prime Minister on his foreign alliances – many of which such as the 2022 establishment of diplomatic relations with Syria are done in the dark. In what has now become known as a diplomatic relations scandal the Prime Minister recalled his United Nations Ambassador who he blamed for acting to establish relations with Syria without his knowledge. The ambassador was recalled.  Many concerned Dominicans remain unsettled that such a course of action may have been engaged to sell Dominica passports to elements of the heavily sanctioned Syrian regime.

No government is above reproach. All governments must be held to strict standards of accountability and transparency. Democracy dies in the dark and citizens have a right to demand answers from their government. On Dominica, and across the Caribbean, I make a call here for the enactment of Public Information Acts that will allow citizens the right to question and demand documents and other information from our governments.  That the Chinese gift us a road, or that Venezuela installs a gas tank, is no excuse to allow those who run our affairs to get away with lawless or irresponsible conduct. Where we are asleep at the wheel and are inattentive to any sense of civic duty, we shall lose our democracy in Dominica. We must maintain that eternal vigilance, while we craft a bodyguard of independent institutions in policing, the civil service, law courts, and overall civil society, to ensure that our democracy survives.

 

It is for that reason the formation of the pro democracy  Nature Island Dominica Civil Liberties Foundation (https://www.nidclf.org/) in 2022 is a breath of fresh air. Until such organizations are formed in every Caribbean nation  to protect our  democracies then we shall descend into the dark night of tyranny. .

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17 Comments

  1. Leighton R James
    April 9, 2022

    Excellent Analysis! The origins of Dominica’s Democracy, those who fought for its establishment and the genesis of its decline are well documented. Democracy is dynamic and not assured. The forces that sustain this system are primarily civil society organizations, workers and a judiciary that adheres to the Rule of law. At the heart democracy decline lies failure of the judiciary, decline of working-class forces (public servants, farmers, fishermen, independent entrepreneurs) and ascendancy of widespread public corruption (no-bid contracts, back-room dealings etc) reinforced by disappearance of public accountability. The current DLP Administration has no interest in democracy as its political existence will be threatened. To maintain power, it strives to establish a population dependent on handouts, constantly threatens freedom of assembly and speech and, promotes public corruption. We should continue support a course correction through local, regional and international efforts.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 1
    • Gary
      April 11, 2022

      Saying this is an excellent analysis does not make it an excellent analysis. Distorting facts, ignoring facts, and making allegations without evidence and having perceptions is not the handiwork of an exquisite analysis, but propaganda. The use of nice words in language and slogans is not evidence to drum up reason for political action, such method is used by disgruntled political activist. Nature Island Dominica Civil Liberties Foundation Inc. impressive words, again, lol, but that is just another Phantom Organization.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 28
  2. Ibo France
    April 9, 2022

    DNO, this commentary has prompted me to say this in all sincerity to you. You provide a service for free to your readers and gives anyone an opportunity anyo

    who wishes to comment on your articles to do just that. In fact, you give a voice to the voiceless. That’s good.

    However, as one of the most popular media entities, this is inadequate as you only publish mostly stories from government sources. This kind of journalism doesn’t shed enough light on the happenings in the day to day governance of the country. When there is on sunlight in overnment corruption flourishes. Sunlight is the best disinfection for corruption.

    Get an investigative journalist to unearth the over abundance of corruption, and secrecy, in the present administration. To just sit at your desk and computer waiting for public officials to spew their lies and propaganda that they want the news media to publish doesn’t do the country much good.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 1
    • Gary
      April 12, 2022

      When I read the last paragraph of your comment, I laughed. I finally realized how silly you are, or you are just clueless as to what prompts Investigative Journalist to uncover corruption of Governments or corrupt politicians. You may not like The Government that is fine, but you should have enough intelligence to make informed opinions and not be carried away by your political partisan beliefs with your perceptions and allegations, you’re achieving nothing, do you think the Government is worried by what you say with your daily comments.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 24
  3. Ibo France
    April 9, 2022

    I want to express my sincerest appreciation to Mr. Gabriel Christian for such an educative, informative and extremely enlightening article. It had me spellbound from the introductory sentence to the last.

    I recommend that every literate Dominican read this adticle. Those few who are unable to read it that it be read to them.

    It’s so refreshing that we still have patriots like Mr. G. Christian who is unafraid of speaking truth to power unlike most of these media personalities, influential business owners and reticent men of the cloth.

    Thank you profusely, Mr. Christian. I pray that your courage will inspire many others of influence to shed the cowardice and stand up and be counted in these times of a frontal assault on our democracy by a most despotic regime.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 1
  4. April 9, 2022

    Very well said don’t know what will change the mind of our people.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 1
  5. Frank
    April 9, 2022

    An opposition that is actually worth voting for would be a start.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 3 Thumb down 16
  6. Lin clown
    April 9, 2022

    Let Gabriel know the majority of Dominicans are convinced GON Emanuel house was firebombed by a supporter of the UWP some can say who exactly they think did it.Skerrit has never denied he is a French citizen,made so,as a child.Skerrit has always denied having a French passport.It is the UWP who said Skerrit has a French passport,and has travelled on it.They have produced no evidence in the case,I believe in our law the burden of proof is on the prosecution unless Gabriel Christian,PhD,law professor and head of Gabriel law university think otherwise.The crooks cannot produce one dot of evidence to show Skerrit has a French passport,yet that American JACKA is saying he must produce a passport which he denies he has.And the JACKA call himself a lawyer.UWP has always said the VILLAS belong to skerrit,the owner was acting in self defence when he drew his firearm to protect his property.Lucky one was not shot dead.Dr.Curving Ferreira should have done the same,when they destroyed his property

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 34
  7. Lin clown
    April 8, 2022

    This guy is one of the biggest AHOLE ever.First he does not say GON house was firebombed according to him someone attempted to murder Emanuel and his wife Gretta.We all know Danny Shillingford admitted to setting the fire,the question is why?According to investigation,Steven Isidore,an attorney,withdrew millions of $$$ he had in an account with Emanuel without Emanuel consent.Later according to investigation Emanuel found out a large amount of money put into the account was ilegally coming from Skerrit.On discovering that Emanuel had taken the evidence to his home and fearing that he Isidore and Skerrit would be exposed he Isidore paid Earl Grant to destroy the evidence.According to the arsonist Earl made a deal to pay him $4,000us to destroy the evidence.After investigations commissioner of police Samuel Carette,DPP Gene Pestina and Attorney Tony Astaphan the case was a made up story,and the arsonist was not telling the truth.Later Julien Prevost a poto uwp became DPP the rest history

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 2 Thumb down 43
    • Ibo France
      April 9, 2022

      Lie Clown, you can rely on your welfare check to satisfy your basic needs. Tens of thousands in Dominica suffer from severe flatulence and mal-nourishment because because they don’t have the financial means to eat regularly.

      Like an eternal spring spouts water, you spout your asininity on this forum everyday. You have NEVER once given the readers any food for thought. You always on this forum the stuff we deposit in our septic tanks.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 1
  8. Lovely
    April 8, 2022

    Very good write up.
    “No government is above reproach. All governments must be held to strict standards of accountability and transparency. Democracy dies in the dark and citizens have a right to demand answers from their government. ” We should start this right away. When you send your child to the shop don’t you ask for a receipt and your change? Why can’t we hold our leaders accountable. We are the ones who have the power. We are the ones who determine if they get to govern our country. So why should we be afraid to ask them..

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 2
  9. Lawyer
    April 8, 2022

    Very well spoken. The problem with the majority of Dominicans, they value a quick Dollar more than the future of their country and children.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 41 Thumb down 4
    • April 9, 2022

      Very well said don’t know what will change the mind of our people.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 1
      • April 12, 2022

        When we get an educated, intelligent, handsome, charismatic opposition leader like the late Maurice Bishop was.

        Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 21
    • Dominican Bwoi
      April 9, 2022

      Correct. People will complain “Oh no, my roof fell off. Oh no, the roads need fixing. Oh no, there’s no jobs in the community. Oh no, I have no money for food. Oh no, I can’t afford clothes for my kids” etc. All Skerrit has to say is “Vote for me & ill give allayuh children a tablet :lol:” and all of a sudden all of the peoples problems are miraculously solved.

      That’s the logic this island has. People can’t fend for themselves & they KNOW the island is a mess & the government is terrible, but as long as the government feeds them a few crumbs, they suddenly stop caring & start claiming how Skerrit is the best thing since slice bread, when he’s far from it. He uses this nation as his own playground & the governments funds as his own personal bank, yet for some reason nobody’s attempting to stop him. How long is this going to go on for? WAKE UP DOMINICA!!!!

      People insult Fidel Castro but praise Skerrit :roll:

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 0
    • Marty
      April 14, 2022

      For 20 years Skerrit has been using the greediness of Dominicans against them. If nothing else, Skerrit knows his people! Corruption, Greediness and Cowardice will be the downfall of our beautiful country.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0

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