The dual citizenship case against Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Member of Parliament of La Plaine, Petter St. Jean continues in court tomorrow and a demonstration is being planned to support the United Workers Party (UWP) which is leading the charge against the two men.
The demonstration, which will be held outside the Public Service Training Center, is being spearheaded by the Atherton Martin-led anti government group which will be teaming up with different opposition parties and members of the public with similar political standings.
Martin said supporters will gather to show their dissatisfaction with the manner in which the country is being ruled.
“The issue of the country’s development and the direction it is taking is another reason,” he said.
Martin said persons are also concerned about the manner in which the court is handling the issue because, according to him, it is taking too long to decide on the matter.
It is alleged that Skerrit contested the elections illegally as he held dual citizenship, a practice which is not allowed under Dominican law.
The petition on dual citizenship is seeking to get the court to overturn the nomination and election of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit since he was a dual citizen who had demonstrated allegiance to a foreign power by virtue of his own act.
The petition further contends that since Skerrit’s nomination and subsequent election was “void and of no legal effect,” the only qualified and validly nominated candidate should be declared and installed as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Veille Case.
UWP candidate Joseph Maynard was the other person, besides the Prime Minister, who was nominated on Nomination Day before the 2009 general elections.
if it is de grenadian judge that there, they will escape without prosecution.. amen
Dominicans have lost the ability to think. They are now a “cult nation” they follow their Leaders like the members of the Jim Jones cult in Guyana followed him. What will it take to abolish this cult. I hope lives will not have to be lost as in Guyana for the “cult nation” to come to an end.
Skerrit can jump and release his police into the streets if he wants and as he pleases. The fact is that history will record him as the first illegal PM of Dominica.
My people, the court of law is not a “blog Posting”,. It is not a radio talk show. It will not discuss how we feel about Skerrit or Edison for that matter. the courty oflaw will discuss legal issues and listen to legal; arguments based on existing law. Remeber when Lennox Linton savaged the reputation of Pinard byrne back in 2002? he had then populist talkshow”, anti Eugenia and Frnk baron, iron clad” evidence to prove his case. today eugenia is no more with us, Frank baron is in bed with Linton over Skerrit and lennox has to pay Pinard Byrne a hefty 50,000 dollars for all the evidence he had back in 2002.
The UWP brought the case to the courts. They have to present their evidence and LEGAL (not talkshow or partisan political) arguments to prove their case even if its a politician (attorney) representing them. The issue of breaking the law is what is at stake. Mr. Skerrit on the other hand has to defend himself with every available opportunity in law – loophole or no loophole. That is what we know as our system of justice. The UWP cannot now come and demand that Skerrit assist their case by showing his passport so that they can prove their case. This is legally preposterous. The law has to be for every man. Skerrit does not have to prove his innocence in any way. The UWP who brought him to the court for wrongdoing has to prove its case – Mr. Skerrit’s guilt without any assistance from Mr. Skerrit’s – period
The thing that kills me yeh dominicans.. dem workers opening their large mouth… Peter carbon and ron green do it for years, they wasn’t dishonest and liers when they take office… now skerrit thats the biggest criminal now and even sayin god doesn’t like liars.. wat was good for ron green good for skerrit red…take that and stay outside for 4 more years
DEMONTRATING DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEMS. IT CREATES MORE CHAOS THAN YOU EXPECT. THE MATTER IS IN THE COURT OF LAW LET THE JUDGE MAKES HIS OR HER DECISION.
You’ve said that before. It is because of Demonstration that today Patrick John is no longer in power; that we as black people are liberated; that you are not judged by the color of your skin.
If you don’t stand for something you fall for anything – feeble legs
Well said party Pooper.
People whatever the courts decide at the end of the day LABOUR PARTY WILL STILL BE THE PARTY IN POWER. Workers go back to the
drawing board.
woy oye oye something’s happening ….. i not praying for no prime minister and st jean. we too dam bad in this country. whether we like it or not the law is the law!
the pm was brazen when he broke the law …… i will pray for myself instead ……..when you steal from people you can NEVER enjoy what you steal
is all the lies that have him in court today ………..this is a shame for a young person who expects that youth of this country to follow him …..i predict that the next generation of kids will throw us old people to the pits …………because we are busy training them be liars and thieves ….and they we turn round and say – “THE YOUTH NOT GOOD”
PONDER ON THESE THOUGHTS:-
DON’T BLAME THE CHILDREN – BLAME THE ENVIRONMENT
CHILDREN LIVE WHAT THEY LEARN
Listen to you now, the other day when the news was Lennox Linton ordered to pay $50.000 your words were all for peace, love and unity. You said, “lets not celebrate in others downfall we don’t know what will happen to us”
Today that’s out the window, you not praying for no PM and St Jean, why? they broke the law, it’s their lies that have them in court you said. Well. i hope you did not pray for Lennox Linton because his untruths got him in court, he to broke the law, the slander law and he was found liable.
so you saying the judge was fair and balanced. and he is infalable in his profession, he cannot be a little bias or he cannot make mistakes like the pope…
we still slaves, mr brown if you know the judge, then you will see who he drinks with or lime with. a judge should be fair and impartial in his judgement. and that will be the first time i heard a judge say to a defendant who is a jurnalist, ‘no one ask you to investigate’.
that is absurd, and is because of jurnalist AROUND THE WORLD alot of attrocities are brought to the public thus making them very vulnerable TO criminal slayings. in the phillipines, russia, kossovo and to much to mension. you can google the jurnalist who have fallen to vicious crimes for their work.. IF LENNOX APPEAL TO A HIGHER COURT THEN I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WOULD BE A SLAP TO THE FACE OF OUR CORRUPT LEGAL SYSTEM IN DOMINICA. REMINDS ME ABOUT THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND OPPOSITION CASE..
TRUE
DNO I’M LISTENING TO Q95 RIGHT NOW AND I CAN’T BELIVE WHAT I’M HEARING ABOUT CECIL’S JOSEPH STATEMENT TO THE US. PLEASE PLEASE I CANNOT SAY ANYTHING UNLESS I’VE HEARD IT FOR MYSELF SO POST A LINK TO THAT STATEMENT AND PLEASE PRINT IT OUT CLEARLY LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO ANY OTHER ISSUE SO WE DOMIMINCAN’S CAN KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON. THANK YOU. IS ANGELO BLOWING STEAM OR IS IT TRUE. I WANNA KNOW RIGH NOW!!!!!!!!!!
LAST I HEARD FROM THE BIG BOYS
THEY TELL ME THAT CASE DOE GOING AND HELP WORKERS PARTY
SO DOE LET MY HEART BE TROUBLED
THEY TELL ME THE PM HAVE A STRONGER CASE THAN THEY THINK
ITS NOT ABOUT HELPING A PARTY, ITS ABOUT THE ABUSE OF POWER AND BREAKING THE LAW
To be honest…..if this question was ask!!!!are you a citizen of any countries other than Dominica, and responded NO!!!!!!then he willfully lied…he is guilty…but if he declared that he WAS, and he was not screened properly, then that’s another story,……..and now we as Dominicans are left confused….so in this case I am not in position to condemn or judge. but it’s time to move to another topic…and let the court (LAW) decide…..all for the best interest of the country, and not what’s best for Skerritt or petter…Power for the good of our country is FINE..but the for power of boostting ones foolish ego…..will send us all straight to the DOG house…
When Prime minister Roosevelt Douglas was prime minister of Dominica..he had multiple amounts of passport….
Guess this dual citizenship case is a bit confusing….But our little country needs some stability…. This news is all over the world…..google tells it best..
Some of us talk politics, but have no idea what politic is all about….
This matter should not have gone to court, both men know what the CONSTITUTION states and should abide by it. They should be moral enough and do the right thing………. but then again, the lust for power strips one of all moral values.
I am not very confident about the demonstration tomorrow because Dominicans have become so spineless and unable to think, analyse and reason for themselves that it has become utterly shameful.What ever is being used to control the minds of the gullible Dominicans will be removed in due time.
Dominica may have seemed to make material progress but we have lost our moral values in the process and we are going to reap the fruits of the bitter seeds sown. “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his own soul?”
God is watching us!! Woe be unto those who lead God’s children astray!!
i agree well said!
DEMOCRACY IS FOUNDED on faith in “the will of the people.” leaders have the legitimate right to rule only with the electoral support of the majority. The UWP leaders and their subsidiaries can’t seem to get that in their heads. Now a days they begin and end their remarks with the invocation of the word “democracy”.
They claim to know and speak for the DOMINICAN people. However, “the will of the people” is being legally challenged so the word democracy coming from them, has become nothing more than an empty political mantra. I say this because UWP is ignoring and trying to oppress the “will of the people”, while at the same time preaching on about DEMOCRACY.
Did not the electorate represent the authentic voice of the people? Isn’t electors usually chosen by popular vote and crown the winner? What the UWP want is not for the court to order a do over, but for the court to rule the runner up; the winner no matter what percentage of the vote they got. will that be “the will of the people”?
The talk about legitimacy that we hear now don’t stem from “we the people”, but from partisan angry groups that cannot excecpt the fact that their party lost the election. We the majorrity has bestow legitimacy on the PM and Mr. St. Jean despite the shenanigans of the UWP and their subsibiry. We made it clear on election day that “we the people” accept the government and that’s all the legitimacy that is needed.
No matter what Arthie them do,my PM and MR STJean hold tight and never let go, my god is a good god Dominica has reach to far in development to let these MAD MEN TAKE OVER, god is good all the time, and all the time god is good.
WELL IN LAPLAINE WE TIE LIKE CRAB. WE WONDER IF WE HAVE TO TAKE THE SEAT OF LAPLAINE FROM A FRENCH MAN AND GIVE IT TO AN AMERICAN. i WOULD PICK THE FRENCHMAN BECAUSE WE CLOSER TO MARTINIQUE AND GUADELOUPE. AMERICA NOW BEHIND LYBIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST. OUR WEEKLY TRADE WITH OUR NEGHBOURS HAVE MORE PROFIT.
VIVA SKERRO LONG LIVE PM U ARE A GOD SEND.
GOD DOES NOT SEND LIARS AND THIEVES
Why don’t these power hungry people let the law decide the outcome of this matter put before the court. What is the demonstration suppose to do? Is it an intimidation or does Arthie expect to accomplish a goal. One thing I hate is when people try to speak for the most high creator, what he likes or dislike. They say he loves all of us yet his words say defferent, they say he don’t like liars, as if thats the only thing he don’t like. What about stealing, disrespectful to parents, cheating on your spouse, neglecting your children and abusing them. So I guess we all have one of these going for us. So let the court decide the matter
Let us solve this dual citizenship now and court appeals can be xpedited
Did they get permission to do their maji or this is just an attempt to cause chaos?
According to the legal sstem in Dominica an individual is innocent until proven guilty in the courts. Dominica s a civilised society, the rule of law have to stand, not mob law.
The people of Vielle case are to exercise the right to chose or their parliamentary representative, not the courts.
So how does the opposition say they respect the constitution yet disrespect the laws of innocent until proven guilty in court based n evidence?
PM AND PETTER GOOD LUCK AND GOD’S BLESSINGS FOR BOTH OF YOU. ALL THE BEST
IN YOUR ENDEAVOURS.
Why would GOD bless something that is wrong. Would you kiss your child right after she/he did
something wrong.
if your child meet a man beating u n de child beat de man back, u wouldnt kiss him?
Of course i will kiss my child. Firstly i would let him understand what he did was wrong and if he is to be punished then he gets punished. After explaining and punishment i will still let him know that i love him with a kiss.
Who is the judge?
Does the judge understand and know our history?
How many wars have the French fought to get control of our resources?
What do these mean:????
“it is with deep regret that I…” Give up french citizenship.
“Thank you for your usual cooperation”
What message does a young judge send when his civil service salary affords the most expensive vehicle in Dominica?
DA new System of election, The people vote but the court DECIDE the winners.
Just an hypothetical question; if a Spanish man named John Smith came to Dominica and he ran for political office and won, do you think it is acceptable just because the people voted for him? Every country in the world that has election has laws. Yes there needs to be a better screening process.
Soldier, Do you think it is equaly okay for someone born to ANY Commonwealth country, par example…Pakistan, India, Swaziland, Tongo, Jamaica, St Lucia, Monseratt, Mozambique to get to Dominica in time for nominition or whatever clause and could become Prime Minister or elected Parl Rep.
But you Soldier just happen to have a French/Canadian/American/Chinese Passport but never lived in these countries, but can’t take part in the political process of your Country of Birth, Dominica.
Sometime we need to think before we just write gibberish.
More gibberish on your part
But a foriegner is reigning miss teen.
My friend WIKILEAKS has given you the answer i would have but let me add, Do you think it’s fair for the majority vote to be ignored over the runner up? Do you think that a person would be truly representing his constituency not having the majority vote, but declared the winner by a court??!!
I truely believe that this matter should be decided soon so that the Island can try to move on I am part of the publice that know one should not disregard the CONSTITUTION it doesn’t matter whoever it may be because it is the LAW of the land.
Skeritt said the CONSTITUTION cannot stop him that was the wrong message to send to the people because what is going is because of that statement .
I do believe that it is time that DOMINICANS should begin to read that important document educate yourself as to your rights and stop allowing others to speak for you this is not a party thing it is a very seriuos matter I do not care who in the DLP become PM what Skeritt should have done is apoint someone while he wait for the court decision instead he made a mockery of the system the same system he is looking towards to agree that he did nothing wrong.
Now we call on the men and women in the Court systems to up hold the CONSTITUTION and the RULE of LAW in the COMMONWEALTH of DOMINCA and bring some sense to the madness taking place
Great observation, however, please do a spell check prior to posting your comment.
what’s inportant there, is it the pin or the point?,if you find it is a great observation, then you understood the post like most people.Don’t pin point the little picture, look at the BIG Picture, that is the idea.
“Skeritt said the CONSTITUTION cannot stop him that was the wrong message to send to the people because what is going is because of that statement .”…. The CONSTITUTON did not stop Ron Green are the dictates of the constitution only for particular group..?
As soon as matter resolve in this court its an appeal no matter which side wins or loses. A LONG story that there
If he is found to have contested illegal, i hope that the court orders a by-election is his constituency. That way, each candidate will get a fair chance at the seat. It is wrong to just give to seat to Maynard as the runner up, because the voters did not choose Maynard.
Furthermore, it will be the most fair thing to do seeing that other ministers have been in the same situation with no consequences.
Agreed. In fact, this position called for by the UWP, if Skeritt were to be found in violation of the law, would tantamount to election by deception.
We predict, furthermore, that the Court will find Skeritt did indeed violate the constitutional principle against knowingly and falsely making the declaration, but that the Court will find that that violation did not give Mr. Skeritt any advantage over his opponent so as to render the election unfair. The Court would be mixing apples and oranges by conflating the two.
The Constitutional mandate is clear as to offering oneself for nomination and election. It also provides guideline for righting this wrong, along with possible ways for redress. None of these choices gives the Court the right to “steal” the election in favor of the decided loser, unless evidence is presented to show how the violation skewed the outcome of the election in favor of the winner.
The Court is bound by the words of the Constitution, by the intentions of those words and by precedent set in case law in making a ruling. It will not, and cannot, nor is it authorized to take and give to the loser an election he did not win. To do that the Court would be usurping the peoples power and might well hand to the UWP that which it has long sought for – riot and revolt in Dominica. The only thing is, UWP and Dominica would come out the losers.
WELL SAID!! IS THERE A “LIKE” BUTTON?
Why don’t you educate yourself before trying to sound intelligent? the law says that if the constituents were informed that the candidate is/was not qualified the to quote you friend tony ” any vote cast for him is a totally wasted vote”. Now go ask tony what exactly does that statement means.
Your comment brought a tear to my eye…That was Amazing and eloquent such a relief to see someone make an educated comment on this forum
If this is such a serious issue, as it has been stated on this forum before, why on earth is the court taking so long to deal with this matter?
My Sout man, the answer is a judiciary that is not independent, I mean the system is manipulated and controlled by the very corrupt. Sorry to say, but it’s the worst in the Caribbean.
THe court is perhaps taking along time, because it is not an important issue as some may want us to believe. Dominicans have been violating that part of the Constitution since Ron Green was elected, you also had Earl Williams, and then Skerritt and St. jean. So you see Dominicans don’t care wether their Parl reps are dual citizen or not. The UWP understood that whilst in government. it was the people deciding. What is taking place now shows how dishonesty of People like Ron green and his supporters are. They were the first to violate the constitution yet the get on as if they are saints…..
Athie Martin is a failed human being.
What a pathetic case for a grown man.
I have more respect for Pappy than Atherton
He starts one thing and runs.
I want to know the crowd that will be demonstrating.
As usual our reliable folks at DNO will be giving us the deatils….
Admin keep us informed!
Is that your way of being intelligent. No wonder Charlie sheen is your role model.
lol
lol for real
Why do we need a Court to tell us that we did wrong? we ask for integrity from great men but how can we expect such, when it is that share lack or disregard of integrity was the cause of such wrong doing in the first place and why for the life of me, is the silence of the Church so lound.
Testing, Testing, we love D.N.O.
I HAVE LEARNT TO BE HONEST FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE MY MOTHER TAUGH ME AND TAUGHT MY KIDS, THE .GOOD LORD LOVES ALL OF US BUT HE DONT LIKE WEN WE ARE DISHONEST.NO ONE WILL ANSWER FOR HIM WEN HIS TIME COMES
i support u 110%
I hope this court case gets resolved. It has been dragging for too long.
May truth prevail.
i will be praying for sure! long live my pm!
Keep praying, and while you are at it say two hail mary and one our father for me and the conutry. Hail Mary Full Of Grace..
Prayers are always great, but God does not like liars. Remember that.
well god doesn’t like none of dem…..so wats yur point
You with no sins of your own, let me see you cast the first stone.
You all are just a bunch of bloody hypocretes.
All of you who are wanting Skerrit out just becareful what you all are wishing for.
The good Lord has a way of granting those wishes especially when we push him too far.
The people in the middle East ask for change and look what they are experiencing.
You only hear half the story. What you don’t hear is the people fleeing to neighboring countries
and are being housed in detention centers. The Italians are frustrated that so many people are crossing the border into their country.
So stop being the judge and jury where Skerrit is concerned. We have all made mistakes some time
or other in our lives. No one is perfect, stop acting like some of you are. Who knows what evil
things you have done in your lives? Only God knows. Just remember that saying “IF ONLY THE WORLD COULD SPEAK” If Skerrit was a white man from America that came down to rule over Dominca, you all would have embraced him with open arms but him you all want to crucify.
So many others before him ran away when Dominica was falling by the wayside. He stayed and made a big difference. Now you all act like he is the one who put the crown of thorns on Jesus’s
head and nailed him to the cross. Shame on all of us Dominicans. Time will tell.
it would seems that nothing in dominica that is not led by the opposition is not ” WORKING RIGHT”, if you have done the right and legal thing, what is the big deal about demonstrating, let the law run its course, chill and relax your selves.OR is it just a sham and they know there is nothing to be in court about? i really don’t understand, or maybe their lawyers are not competent enough, oh boy, i really don’t understand what is going on.
Totally agree. I don’t understand the point of a demonstration if the matter is being dealt with in court at this time.
lol @boldfacesquatter…..quite an interesting name u got there!!
but what kinda mad news report is that nuh? lol
Good Luck to Prime Minister Skerrit and Peter St Jean. Our Prayer are with you all. god will continue to bless you for the good works you are doing in Dominica. No man, no evil is stronger that God. We will continue to pray.
While they are demonstrating, we will be praying.
To all Labourite, please do not go close to the court tomorrow. Please stay far, what Arthie and the other are trying to do is to cause an unrest in Dominica.
Stay at your home and pray or go to your churches and prayer for our Leader and our Minister of Education.
We love you Pm and Petter St Jean.
May God Bless you all.
Who Jah Bless No Man Curse.
We will be praying.
what did u say? go in church and pray? i wonder if u really know whats going on in them churches these days.MAYBE MUSLIM ALWAYS CAN GIVE US AN IDEA.
oh plez shut up
God will bless who he will bless a wrong cannot become a right so continue to roll your rosary and throw bottle in the sea but the eyes of God almighty never closes, and all evil will come to an end. WICKED
Who bring shame and disgust to a people should not be blessed but must be rewarded according to the laws of the land. Amen
The effectual fervent prayer of a rightous man availleth much,but prayers of the corrupt surpasseth not the trees..
hope this issue can be resolved soon. this is becoming a bit tiring.
this issue will still be active even after the court decides because some people just cannot accept defeat
defeat will be accepted when it is done in the legal way, not by false statements on oath, if we are reasonable people or had the shoes been on the other foot i wonder what would be your cry now
peter carbon and ron himself enjoyed theirs with no trouble, now they are causing the trouble