Former Acting Chief Justice Sir Brian Alleyne has spoken against country leaders and those in political leadership roles who hold dual citizenship.
He was speaking at the fifth Dame Eugenia Charles Distinguished Lecture organised by the University of the West Indies Open Campus, Dominica and held at Fort Young Hotel last night.
Alleyne spoke in accordance with a clause in the constitution which disqualifies anyone who is under allegiance to foreign power or state by his own act from being elected into parliament.
“If you are the leader of your country, your allegiance must be undivided. You cannot owe allegiance to one country while you lead another. In fact, if God forbid, I were the prime minister if Dominica and at the same time a citizen of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica and St Vincent went to war, I have taken allegiance, and I confess this now I am a citizen of St Vincent as well as Dominica,” he stated.
“In the war against Dominica and St Vincent, if I took Dominica’s side I could be charged with treason in St Vincent and if I took St Vincent side I could be charged with treason in Dominica.
“…That obviously is unacceptable. If you’re the leader of a country, if you enjoy a political leadership role at any level you ought to have undivided loyalty to you country,” Alleyne explained.
If the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica states persons in public office cannot bear allegiance to another sovereign state, why is it that the Politicians breach it first. If any politician knowingly offer him/her self for public office knowing he/she has pledged allegiance to another sovereign power then he/she should do the honorable thing and resign. If it is applicable to me it should be applicable to the politician too…but those in glass houses should not throw stones. All politicians examine your horns…come clean. Not all clean that is red, blue, green, orange or yellow. Just come clean with Dominicans y’all.
:Big foot say enough is enough.
be happy
DNO highlighted two contrasting pieces from Sir Brian’s lecture and its amazing how the same people that love himon the boycott piece hate him on the dual citizenship issue. Amazing eh?
is it not in the laws orf dominica that when a person comittes muder that this person should also be sentenced to death? that the law can and should request the life of that person who commited muder? what has happend to that law , is it not still in the books ? if so why is it not happenining? so why are all those who keep harasing the pm not standing and callin for that law to be implemented is not that a better issue for disscusion than the pm ? i need a reasonable responsible person to please answerme.
oh oh!! godly bird……..you seem 2 be from Itassie,but you must have forgotten that your master was raised by adulterers….please remember
Hey the courts must get that matter sorted out -there are similar cases alredy sorted out in J/CA,etc so get it rolling, Why does The P.M not renonce the French citizenship since Dominica needs his style of leadership in these times—–Villas or no villas any objective citizen should aDMIT THAT NO OTHER LEADER WOULD BRING d/CA TO THE PROGRESS SO FAR
yOU GUYS ARE 2 FULL OF IT! In essence you are telling your children to steal as long as he has not been caught. What kind of love is this? I you were a true friend of Skerrit and a lover of Dominica, what he is doing would concern you. The end Cannot justify the means. No one is concerned about his villas but as good citizens, his style of leadership (currupt style) is what we have a big problem with
You are so quick to talk about the virtues of honesty and about the example we should teach our children not to condone people stealing, that is fine. What about the other virtues you must not just accuse people of stealing without proper evidence isn’t that also something children should learn,
exellent expression,but people like u ran away and left us as dead meat for dogs to fight over.
So sorry I missed out on this one, therefore all I will say is Ha Ha…the PM’s office is being held hostage, we have an imposter….ha ha.
I guess that law was not in place when Ron Green became a Parliament Rep.
constitution in place since 1978… or is it 2078
What’s all this talk about dual citizenship all abou. After Independence all people holding dual citizenship were not disenfranchised, as we were during our colonial days prior to independence. Had we maintained the colonial status quo. I hold American citizenship and have voted in numerous local and national elections most recently 2009, I have held numetrous Government positions in the Civil service Itis obvious that the law cocerning dual citizens is flawed and in most cases nebulous and needs to be amended and clarified
Weatherman pls. I don’t know what positions you held in govt. but obviously you are not aware of the provisions of our constitution The law does not prevent ordinary Dominicans from having dual citizenship, nor does it prevent them from casting their vote (provided they meet certain criteria) However, the constitution does not allow for dual citizenship holders to be elected as Members of Parliament or Senators.
make me understand . dont u think its foolish that i as a citizen holding dual citizenship have the right to vote but cant serve as a minister or a senator? at the end of the day i have also pledge my alligence to that other country, and so why would i not also take sides for one or the other. if i cant serve in government i should not be allowed to vote either because the same way i will be affecting the outcome of the election as i would be affecting the government and can chose as a citizen to stand for america of which i have taken citizenship against dominica of which i am also a citizen . so that law is just gabbage and another way for us to be kept in bondage.if i can vote holding dual citizenship then i should be able to serve as sanator or minister or let it be also that one holding dual citizenship cant vote
The USA constitution does not prevent anyone holding all those offices or from voting. However, that same constitution clearly states that NO ONE can be elected president of the USA if he was not born in the USA. So u can become governor of a state as arnold schwaznegger who was born in Austria. So that is clear. Why do you think they did that? You ever heard of espionage, or serving two masters at the same time?
You love Skerrit so you have no problem with it because it seems that most Dominicans think that the country will end when Skerrit turn comes. If this continues one day some dual citizen that you dont like will hold that office. Hope there is no cow bawling from you.
godly bird you sound like a nagging old witch waiting for more blood to suck.MJ is not at all the only adulterer and cigarette smoker in da facts are stubborn things let me warn u as God fearing person that the witches altar in ville case will tumble when that day come all will know that God is in charge i publicly telll u that all manner of necromancey lodge and ahy other secret will be exposed i believe in the blood of the lamb not of the conquering lion of villie case come down hello that is blashemous aint it and the priest priestess and all of u ignorant party supporters will have your day workers labour freedom pappy all is is a set of jokers hold on my friend the altar is about to break trust me and skeritt time is like the king of persia or greece GOD WILL DEAL WITH HIM
Why is it people like you always want to put God in your business simply because you disagree with someone politically, what is it that cause you to think that God has a puny mind like yours without a sense of reason, quick to accuse people calling them witches. Let me tell you what you perceive, your observations, feelings, interpretations, are all your truth. your truth is important. Yet it is not the truth , something you must always remember before you rush out and make accusations.
@wrong is wrong
in Canada one must be bilingual. fluent in frech and english too be the prime minister there. what do they think about that rule. canada is a developed nation……….
Yep,
You got your information wrong, No where in the Canadian constitution does it say you have to be french to hold the highest office in the land. The curent Prime Minister, The Hon. Stephen Harper learned french after becoming prime Minister. It is up to the individual if he/she chooses to learn the French language, it is an asset however to be bilingual.
Why are we not hearing much from the UWP regarding the case about Skerrit’s dual citizenship? Why aren’t they requesting an expedited resolution of the matter? All I see in Dominica is that some thieves don’t like to see other thieves holding the bag.
If I had my way I would publically burn all these MF’s at a stake. The PM is thinking ahead- the French citizenship is just the egress when the hills come tumbling down. Every rope has an end. Even Tony Astaphan tongue is begining to get tired and seem to be loosing track of his thought. A human being can only manage a few lies . Once that limit of lies is reached chaos ensues.
Continue to sing “HOW GREAT THOU ART” sir, maybe Mr Skerrit will throw you a lifeline.
Tony tongue couple days ago and I heard him say- ” I’m not sure how much more covering up I can do for this fella- the PM that is.
How can descent , normal thinking people defend politicians who are themselves crooks and liars. In order to pacify Skerrit’s misconduct people are now talking about changing the Law to allow people of dual citizenship to hold public office. If we wre to look at the issue on it’s own I would be the first to vote for the amendment however if people are asking to change the law because Skerrit broke the law then to those absolutist changing the law does not absolve the PM of the criminal misconduct.
When will stop supporting and pacifying politicians who use their office to trample upon our constitution. Skerritites keep coming up with all type of silly excuses; Land Taxes was an honest mistake; Garbage bin fiasco – an honest mistake or over sight ; mis representationof the value of the house in Vielle cas is an honest lie; Villas – need more evidence though the facts and evidence are clear. Tony Astaphan is changing stories ,excuses and cover ups every week yet some people are still hanging on to the hope that the Villas really belong to Renneth Alexis and not Skerrit. I’ve heard excuses like – ” Edison own a hotel in B’dos why not Skerrit; Some people even went as far as to say it is ok for the PM to use his office to get rich.
According to PM Skerrit by nature of a democracy people have the right to question the government and government officials and that the government and officials is obligated to provide answers to the questions asked. We did not go to the poles to vote Tony astaphans and as such why are we getting all these contradictory responses from this compulsive liar – Tony astaphan. Like the dude from Denmark the PM should come out and clear the air about all these allegations.
sorry brother alleyne shallow and poor comparison. i hate to inform you that we will never be going to war with st vincent and the best of Dominicans minds are still out of the country. given our size and disposition we need to be the exception rather than the rule and begin to think and act outside the box. we are holding on to a british mentality /concept of the law that has been bequeathed to as as part of our british heritage. as Bob Marley once said let us emancipate ourselves from mental slavery. and all that comes with it.
Our constitution is quite clear: Chapter III, part 1, sub 32(1A):
” A person shall not be qualified to be elected or appointed as a Representative or Senator if he is:
– by virtue of his own act , under acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”
Even our P.M. understands this as is evidenced by his renouncement of his French citizenship at the beginning of this year, enabling him to stand without ambiguity should a by- election become necessary following a court ruling.
Please read the constitution. It is available on line.
It seems that only a select few have the right to act outside of the constitution when it comes to dual citizenship. Mr. Ron green has Dual citizenship is leader of the UWP and in line to be PM if his party wins an election..The Hon. Brian Alleyn.. was leader of the DFP.. also in line to be PM if his party had won. By his own recent admission Mr. Alleyn holds dual citizen ship.Both these gentlemen have acted in the position of PM while their party held office… .It seems that there is a historical acceptance of dual citizens serving in govt…. The billion $ question is, Why is Mr. Skerrit been singled out? If we are honest we should be talking about changing the constitution…
. ” The billion $ question is, Why is Mr. Skerrit been singled out? If we are honest we should be talking about changing the constitution…”
The fact that other leaders of our nation served whilst they were citizens of other countries does not make it correct. They should have been brought to the spotlight just as our current prime minister is being brought to as well.
Secondly, thanks to internet and rapid technological development of our infrastructure even the most remote individual have access information digitally which was only in paper base format up to a few years ago. As a result we have a more informed public who is able to better determine when our leaders are breaking our laws. So gone a the days if you are not in Roseau, news takes 2 days to reach you in the countryside.
We have a rising middle class of educated citizens who will continue to question our elected leaders on matters relevant to our well being…… Get use to it.
Mr. Ron Green is still an active member of parliament and leader of the UWP….his party is leading the charge to have Mr. Skeritt disqualified from holding office due to dual citizenship. we cannot apply the letter of the law based on political preference. If Mr. skeritt has violated the constitution so has Mr. Ron Green and they should be treated equally under the law.. It cannot be right for Mr. Green to hold office with dual citizenship and wrong for Mr. Skeritt …..
i agree with u. we shoud be talking of changing this law. i want to ask this question? where have skeritt spent his entire life , is it not in dominica? have m skeitt spent at least 6 stright months of his adult or even adolessent life on french teritory?if not then what alligence to france are we talking about? is it not that same person who have spent all his life serving his community and dominica as an active youth a cultural man a teacher even b4 he served as political leader? so if all that is truth nd fact why are we wasting time barbeling about foolishness? lets allow the man the time to continiue serving the country . and all those who speak of coruption give us proof and as a labour supporter i will personaly begin campaging against them all now ,but give us the proof otherwise please shutup and pack yrselfs in a box
I personal think the law should not be limited to Politicians but everyone holding dual citizenship. Let people chose which country they want to be affiliated with, everyone’s allegiance must be undivided. If you want to run elections, work for the government, hold our passport you should be a citizen of only Dominica. That’s my opinion.
narrow mind!
Let me tell all Dominicans ROSEVELT SKERRIT was born in Vieille Case.Raised in Vieille Case,educatedm in Vieille Case and PSS,stockfarm college,went to the university of new Mexico came back to Dominica taught at PSS and the teachers college gave school children extra lessons at V/case we in V/case only know him as a ITASSIAN,V/caseyan.we voted for him in 2000,2005,he never had a problem now in 2010 the evil Devil twofoot monsters hungry political parasites, UWP and waste of time Maynard Joseph claiming to have a problem.of dual citizenship. we in Vieille Case rejected M J and dont want him so try any false move UWP and all you will find out when we from V/case Penville and Thibaut will deal with him he will regret the day he was born.wait and see Ron Green Eddison and Spracks will not be able to save him.we waiting patiently for that day so all you better leave Skerritr alone and take all you defit wipe your tails and wait for 2015 and will still loose WE DONT WANT U W P IN THE VIEILLE CASE CONSTITUENCY DONT FUSS IT ON US MAYNARD WILL DIE AND NOT SEE PARLIMENT. LIKE THE PARTY DEAD AND CANNOT COME BACK. Long live SKERRIT in V/Case no cigarette smoker, and adulterer passive citizen MJ we dont want you.this is a cerious warning.
I refuse to believe you are actually THREATENING THE LIFE OF MAYNARD / MJ AS YOU REFERRED TO THAT PERSON. This is unacceptable! You are ready to turn to violence to get your way? SHAME ON YOU!!!
i am soooooooo angry whenever there is need for discussion ,the Prime Minister’s name float up.i am angry at people who cannot see right from wrong and good from bad.I honestly feel sorry for the P.M.First time in the history of dominica’s politics opposition make a leader the head or the reason for all problems.You know,i have prayed and i am still praying,and will never stop praying for P.M.Skerritt.In the eyes of GOD he will prosper and when his enemies fall flat on their faces….it will not be him.I guarantee you..Skerritt is under the arms of GOD.Let us all..i mean all of us and MJ,agree too that the man is blessed.Just leave him alone.
To the people are asking for the Constitution to be amended, because times have changed, your reason is not good enough. I consider this law to be a fundamental one, and it should not be modified. People who run for office are supposed to have a certain level of diplomacy and allegiance to their country, and should never feel the need to pledge alllegiance to another as a back up plan. Otherwise you’re basically telling the people “If this doesn’t work out, you are on your own, I’m out!”.
Times have changed indeed, but Dominica has not evolved. If we cannot adhere to simple rules that were put in place for us since 1978, how have we evolved? The Constitution holds the fundamental laws of the land, and nobody in office should be able to change them to suit their needs or their situation. When did we start putting men above the law? When priests and police officers break the law, they are frowned upon by all of us, because we figure that they should know better, and we never want them to go unpunished. Why can’t the same treatment be dished out to the Prime Minister, rather than making all sorts of excuses to justify his lamentable behavior?
We need to grow past the political parties we are affiliated with, and just this once admit that Mr. Skerrit is at fault. Maybe you don’t want to hinder the country’s so-called progress, so you overlook whatever he does, but in the end, he’s not the only one who has to face the consequences, we have to face it as a country. Dominica is like a well-oiled machine, and Mr. Skerrit is the ‘unstable’ bolt that holds everything together, but it’s only a matter of time before it blows up.
Dear Dominicans, while most of us are unsettled about this, this is where Skerrit would easily win his case. This is what the law says: “the constitution disqualifies anyone who is under allegiance to foreign power or state by his own act….”
As far as the information I have goes, Skerrit received French citizenship as a child, at an age where he was much too tender to make that decision “by his own act”. If that clause was not a part of the statement then it would have been something else, but that clause gives Skerrit victory in the case. His mother’s will (as she is most likely the one who applied on his behalf when he was a child) is not his.
I guess those who made that an issue did not notice that this clause exists
Take a good read of the constitution of Dominica again.
Why is it taking so long to hear from the courts on this Dual citizenship issue?
People asking to change the law – Why amend the law now?
what about the the electoral reform that was requested 2 years before the election.?
What about Tony astaphan asking the PM to Kaybwosh the electoral reform?
To all those who choose to deny or praise Skerrit in light of all these shady, crooked and racketeering behavior by the man himself you will bow your head in shame. That I promise you.
THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE SAY JUST TO DEFEND A POLITICIANS IS SIMPLY LAUGHABLE. WHEN ALL THE EVIDENCE OF CORRUPTION SEEM AGAINST THE PM IDIOTS FIND EXCUSES ; THEY SAY THE UWP DID IT SO WHY NOT SKERRIT; TO THOSE ABSOLUTIST THE VILLA FIASCO- YOU ASK FOR MORE EVIDENCE; ON THE DUAL CITIZENSHIP ISSUE- THE PM CLEARLY LIED ABOUT HIS CITIZENSHIP , LIED ABOUT THE TIME HE GOT THE FRENCH CITIZENSHIP . THOSE WHO PREFER FILTH OVER INTEGRITY NOW ASKING TO CHANGE THE LAW. WELL BOOWICKS EVEN IF THE LAW IS AMENDED THE PM IS STILL LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE LAW ? I GUESS EVERTTIME A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL BREAK THE LAW THAT LAW SHOULD BE AMENDED TO FAVOR THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL.
I JUST CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY IN THIS DAY AND AGE WE HAVE SO MUCH IGNORANCE AMONG OUR PEOPLE. ONE MAN WITH A STRING OF BAD CONDUCT YET HE REMAIN OUR HERO. IF THE PM’S BEHAVIOR IS WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN THEN HEAVEN HELP US.
Next election when the Haitian Man is going up in newton and he wins I want to hear all of you against the constitution Change all you talk………….
NOW.
Parle………..parle ……………parle ……….all you lang kaka
Why are you so cynical with your comments. That is always your typical responses that sometimes you would not think before you write. The scenario you made in your comment is so foolish. The Constitution clearly states what the requirements are before someone can be elected to parliament, so tell me how can the scenario you made up can ever happen, stop the fancy. In regards to The Prime Minister’s case and his alleged eligibility in question, that is totally different from the picture you are trying to paint. .
I do hope the caribbean judges and CCJ are LISTENING to Sir Brian the real Brain .
“Bri’s the Guy” 
FOR REAL
.
The mou mou talking again!
you are ignorant and incapable of rational thought.
Shame on you displaying that level of ignorance. You have no place in an educated forum. If you understand what I mean.
you all dominicans do not get it and will not get it . That is why u all will suffer. Where in the world today that the person who hold the highest position in a country have dual citizenship? Only in dominica because most of them are educated but not inteligent enough.
People tend to be blinded by political affiliations.. This could never happen in the USA!!! Only one master. Wrong is wrong.. I am not a supporter of Sir Alleyne but right is right!!!!
I do not know why you called your self a “concerned Dominican ” and making statements Dominicans will suffer.If you have an opinion on a mater or you support a political Party what makes you think you command authority with what you said, and by the way I assume you meant you were intelligent, well i will tell you this intelligent people do not make statements like that, also get you facts right pertaining to the mater.
in antigua.
tell me something……should the 1978 constitution apply to everybody else,and write a seperate one for Mr.Skerrit ?
Where ignorance is bliss ’tis folly to be wise. Too much ignorance being displayed by some of you Dominicans. What does the CONSTITUTION of Dominica say about DUAL CITIZENSHIP as it applies to someone vying for public office. Skerritt openly violated the CONSTITUTION. HE was even bold enough to exclaim that NO CONSTITUTION, NO LAW could PREVENT HIM from being NOMINATED. Skerritt knew that he had DUAL CITIZENSHIP, yet he was allowed to be nominated and contested the December Elections.
Skerritt cannot, not at all, be BIGGER THAN THE LAWS OF Dominica. He is a human being just like anybody else. Why if someone else breaks the law, that person is punished. Why? In Sports, you all hear all the time that the cricketer, footballer, or Basket baller cannot be bigger than the game itself. Dominica may well be ruled by an illegal PM Skerritt. He cannot deny that he does not hold DUAL CITZENSHIP. IT IS TRUE . Yet some people are spewing all sorts of excuses and showing their ignorance.
You all want Skerritt to disrespect and break the Law as he wants but when another Dominican does the same you all want the person to be brought before the courts, fined, jailed. Now some calling for Hanging. A guy stole a packet of Crix biscuit at a supermarket, he faces jail. Another one curse up or beat up a another you say jail him. So what is RIGHT for you all? WRONG? What is wrong for you all? RIGHT? After all Dominicans.
Those ‘HIGH UP IN PUBLIC Office could do no wrong? Is not brains you all have in your heads NUH? What is in your heads, TRASH? Don’t you all think at all? Why not try for a minute to condemn what is wrong and accept what is RIGHT? PM Skerritt has broken the LAW. He was definitely aware that he possessed DUAL CITIZENSHIP. OUR CONSTITUTION FORBIDS anyone with DUAL CITIZENSHIP to be a PARLIAMENTARIAN. That is the fundamental ISSUE. That is troubling PM Skerritt. For him it is a NIGHTMARE to face the COURTS on that issue. HE is SCARED LIKE HELL.
That is why, PM Skerritt will continue to make endless mistakes, deliberate mistakes, LIE, mistrust the people, refuse to give people information on pertinent national issues, evade questions etc., etc., etc, PM Skerritt is presently mentally unstable because of the numerous TWAKA , court actions, controversial activities, secret deals, dual citizenship, Rubbish Bin and Fertilizer Bobols, Susan Olde and US$400,000.00 DEBAS, ownership of VILLAS, refusal to release the dollars to the Electoral commission for provision of VOTER ID CARDS, just to name a few, that are boggling his mind. He is human.
You all think the $27,000,000.00 for the President’s Palace is not a conscious plan, amidst all the opposition to that crazy project? Nobody is allowed to know what is going on. The Palace project could be built, for all you know, for about $15,000,000.00 by the Chinese. How much money would be left? Do the maths for yourselves. Is not joke I am making. The majority of Dominicans do not have a clue about the designs, or the real costs of the project. Dominicans know absolutely nothing about, no TRANSPARENCY as to what is going on with that money they have to pay back to China re. that project. Anything could happen. Don’t even bother to request info about that project?
did skerrit acquire dual citizenship as an adult?
Sir Alleyne,
Why is it your only example is that of War? Serving with distinction is a trait we admire in our leaders. Mr. Skerrit has proven beyond doubt to be a distinguished son of the Caribbean Soil. He has never served the French, has lived here all of his adult life, has served Dominica all his working life with distinction. Can we not move beyond these antiquated laws and look truly towards changing them?
The fact is Mr. Skerrit is breaking the law of the land. So if a man is a rapist and he is a good doctor should he not go to jail? He is breaking the law so he should go to jail. Mr. Skerrit is a french man and a Dominican so he is needs to resign or be forced out by the court.
I think you are really “confused” your pen name suit you very well. Confused do you know before someone is sent to jail he has to have due process. When Skerrit case comes up why don’t you go and give evidence, showing that he is a French man, the prosecutor would welcome you evidence, seems you know something we do not know, when you boldly say he is a French man.
Idiot!
Politicians must stop this thing.
Why not put this to a vote among the people ofthe Caribbean and let them decide if it is ok for parliamentarians to have dual citizenship.
After all is the people that vote in these parliamentarians.
I can guarantee that the people will say this is a non-issue because ofthe situation Caribbean people have found themselves in having to move to greener pastures because of the mess created by these same politicians
stop these stupid REPLIES….. let people talk their mind.. dam it
The “reply” option is there for a reason retard.
we have to debate on such issues so expect a challenge to ur statements on an open forum
aight i agree consttution get ammended. but it also jneed to be upheld. a law is a law . a contract is a contract. if someone has been paying for 30 years on their mortgage and at the end of that 30 years is unable to pay the last intallment. they stand to be evicted. it may seem unfair but they have breached the contract, so the judge, majistrate or whoever might feel their pain but he has pass judgment accorsing to the contract.
if you go to a gas station and while pumping your gas the rate for the gas increases you should pay the rate at which you started pumping. skerrit need to go if he is not abiding by the constitution. now seeing that dominicans love him so much, when this law is ammended there is no doubt tht he wil be voted back.
It is amazing how silly your references and allegory are when referring to the constitution regarding the mater. You made a statement Skeritt has to go, well let me remind you it is not you or what you believe what the constitution says is going to make Skeritt go. There is due process, that is why it is before the courts and it is there that it will be decided if he violated the constitution just to let you know.
I fully agree with Mr A.
An to all those who talking about American politicians and British employees – this is Dominica in the Caribbean.
Dominica is filled with Dominicans – the majority of the population is and if anyone is going to represent this country as prime minister it has to be “A DOMINICAN – BORN,BREED AND BUTTERED”!!!!
I can understand someone with other allegiance representing as an adviser to the government, but the Prime minister has to be a devoted Dominican – pure Dominican, hopefully one who has traveled to be educated and comes back. No dual citizenship.
The Prime Minister was born in Dominica to Dominican parents. How muc purer can he get.
If he was so pure he wouldn’t have needed to apply for French citizenship!
i feel dat allu jealous dat skerrit is french damn leave the man breath!
@ YES I and Too Much – the law is the law and if the man feels he is above the law then he should be shown the door.
If the PM has dual citizenship he should not be there!!!!!!!!!! Simple as that!
Dont be so Ignorant.
Constitutions gets Amended all the time and ours needs to change. This emphasis on dual citizenship should not be the only concern, how about parliamentarians living in, other countries and just coming in for Parliamentary seating’s. It’s funny how we can tolerate satellite parliamentarians but repudiate those with D.C. Peter Carbon could live in the U.S Virgin Islands for 2 terms and just coming for parliament. Is anyone addressing that? Earl Williams was out for almost two terms studying and they reward him with Opposition leader. There should be major constitutional amendments not just the issue of dual citizenship. The pool to elect parliamentarians is not that large, maundering the constitution to accommodate dual citizens would widen that pool.
It amazes me when someone like Sir Brian Alleyne talks about allegiance. People let us not be fooled, Mr Alleyne has the title “SIr ” ask him, who does he give his allegiance to for such title..Mr Alleyne is a member of The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem who does he give allegiance to.
When People have titles given to them and are members of Secret Societies especially the likes of The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem talking about allegiance to Country, you wonder if these people should be taken seriously.
http://www.orderstjohn.org/osj/history.htm
pay attention to the message not the messenger. The man is right and the fact he is a “Sir” has nothing to do with it – the truth is the truth – doesn’t matter who is saying it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let us not forget an opinion is not a truth. Why is it if something suits your political agenda it is suddenly accepted as the truth. The truth is not decided by someones opinion or ether by your Political belief. Your reply shows how little you know. Stop being blinded by politics and learn to think and see the whole picture and not be taken for a ride.
was mr alleyne giving an opinion or was stating a fact in the constitution?????? but is me for allu to debate with eh,,,so u saying what he said is not stated in the constitution but merely an opinion,,,,i see u have the symptom of skerrititist which is color-hypnosis…….
What happen Solon why don’t you Penn your NAME and why hide under solon you are a distorter of the truth. ……….Not all DOMINICANS DUMB …….You are a fake and mischievous bender of the truth. You are a liar and a SINGER for supper. All you old labourites need to understand the TRUTH is the Truth and no amount of lies is going to erase history. Patrick John Tired he failed, Edison James tried he failed and now its skeriette He will fail my dear so take that to the Roseau cemetery.
Siderliner, Why you don’t you Pen you real name to, I see. Well I’m glad to hear from your own mouth that not all Dominicans are Dumb thanks for saying it. You should be the last one talking about fake, mischievous bender of truth. I do not belong to any Political Party or have any affiliations to any, for one i do not make politics blind me from reason as you do.. Nothing you have wrote is objective it always has to be negative,cynical and of course bias because of your politics.. All i will tell you time will tell, Let history be the judge and not sideliner.
To mouth from the south. pity you that you cannot distinguish when someone is giving his opinion on matter, in this case Mr Alleyne is giving his opinion as to what he believes on a clause stated in the constitution and that is basically If you are the leader of your country, your allegiance must be undivided and them went on to give a scenario to prove his point, I’m not saying that what he said is not in reference to what is written in the constitution because that is the reference he using to give his opinion which of course is written in the constitution. I hope you understand,
It is very laughable when i hear you say that i have the symptom of skerrititist which is color-hypnosis, but i will say this, why is it you are so bias and blinded with your politics, why do you have to boil down politics to every thing you comment on and opposing everyone who has a different view politically from you, classic symptom of tunnel vision, never wanting to be objective at all. Finally i will leave this for you “Of all the causes which conspire to blind Man’s erring judgment, and misguide the mind; What the weak head with strongest bias rules, – Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools”
SOLON DEM PEOPLE OF DOMINICA WILL SOON KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH, THESE PEOPLE ARE LUCIFERIANS
I feel what you are saying Mr. Alleyne, and we all know you are talking about PM Skerrit. But you must understand that Skerrit is all about skerrit first and Dominica after. “Hey incase Dominica don’t work out, the I can move to France” and the people of Dominica knows it and they are Alright with that so no need to bring this up again.
And I like you Mr. Alleyne, you would have made a Great Prime Minister. Cheers to that thought!
Ara you aware that the same MR ALLEYN served as a government minister in Dominica with the very same dual citizenship and after MAMO left he had a chance to take over the freedom party but instead he laft and went to greener pastures,so you must be careful when people speak.WORD ARE CHEAP
La La that is not true Here we go again people singing for their supper and I will say it again>>>>>>>>>>>NOT ALL DOMINICANS DUMB…………………………You cannot fool all Dominicans ….I know we have the highest illiteracy rate in the OECS but not all of US Dumb………..OK
Mr. Brian Allyene is the retired JUDGE OF THE OECS With its Headquarters Located In Castries St Lucia. The O ECS IS MADE UP OF Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, associates …..BVI and Montserrat.
So which greener pastures you talking about you need to go and sit down let Sir Luther teach you a lesson. and stop spreading false information that you hear from Labour politician whose history have been SPREADING OF RUMORS AND RUMORS OF RUMORS OF DECEPTION AND LIES. Stop making DOMINICANS LOOK LIKE IDIOTS AND BACKWARD FOOLS.
Dame Eugenia must be turning in her grave to hear that comment.
In this day and age the law should be changed to allow people with dual citizenship to run for offcie in the Caribbean. Brain Allyne should be thinking with the times. We have left Jurasic Park.
so y hasn’t america left jurasic park. It’s called protecting Dominica……………..
Doesn’t Barak Obama hold some african citizenship?
what does Barack Obama have to do with Dominica?
its an example ur name is jah and u more sort
The fact that his father was from Kenya makes him Kenyan? His mother was of German and Irish decent, does that make him German and Irish too? President Obama never applied for citizenship in any country outside the United States regardless of his parentage, but the PM did, and that’s the issue at hand. Dominicans try to find all sorts of reasons to justify the PM’s wrong doing. If your neighbor kills someone and doesn’t go to jail, does that give you the right to kill also?
Acording to Tony, He knew, He knew. So Tony couldn`t advise him other wise then; Only if Tony didn`t know.
sounds like the law luminary I new Hon. Bry’s to be…on target,shout it out again to Skerro, the delinquent boy who pays no regaed to law&order.
What Mr. Alleyne said can create allot of havoc. The Governor of California was not born in the United States of America and cannot give up his citizenship, so he has dual. He just cannot be the President but he holds an extremely powerful position. The former Attorney General of the England is a born Dominican and there was no issue about her citizenship of place of birth. Mr. Alleyne statement is alienating a huge majority of Dominicans who might be thinking about participating in politics.
My suggestion is that this present Government with the majority that they have should change this part of the constitution to include the best of who out there wants to get involve in politics. If dual citizenship is an issue then we don’t have an opposition or government because Edison Chenfield James holds dual citizenship. Ron Green holds dual citizenship. Should we re-write history and remove from our records that former Prime Minister Edison James ever existed???
We have an opportunity to progress with modern times and get away from the policies and practices which kept us back for so long. Will Mr. Alleyne relocate to Grenada where the other half of his partnership is from???? His children can claim to be citizens of Dominica and Grenada because their parents are natives of both islands. Would he have questions if one of them intends to get involve in politics in Dominica or Grenada????
If this is the acceptable norm in Dominica then we Dominicans living overseas and hold dual citizenship should refrain from getting involve in anything whether it be supportive in the areas of finance, social, economical, humanitarian, educational etc and just focus on the lives that we have where we live and not get involve in anything Dominican. This statement from Mr. Alleyne proves dangerous. Are we Dominicans living overseas to be used and dispose off after our usefulness is no longer required???
I must admit that the points which you are presenting, namely the California situation, makes perfect sense; you are very right in your arguments. However, you are missing a very important point in mister aAlleyne’s agrument and for this reason, with all that you have said, you’ve fail to address his point. The point at hand is the issue of treason. Mr Alleyne says,
“In the war against Dominica and St Vincent, if I took Dominica’s side I could be charged with treason in St Vincent and if I took St Vincent side I could be charged with treason in Dominica…”
Heaven forbids if our little country were to go to war with, lets say, france; Who is the Prime Minister (the second in command) going to support when he has pledged allegiance to both countries? The leader of a country, should not be place in such compromising situations!! He loyalty should be to the country the he has pledged allegiance to serve… The same applies to the Carlifornia leader, if the USA were to declare war on Austria, where does he stand? Therefore, on that note, I believe Mr. Alleyne has a very valid point!!!
It does not apply to the Carlifonia case because he is the governor presently. Don’t you think the U.S. would have an issue if there was a problem.
The point is Alleyne should not even speak because he holds dual citizenship so his point is not valid. Should Eddison James stint as P.M. be removed from the record because he has dual citizenship.
Some country dont even ask to pledge allegiance. So go figure.
I am in total disagreement with you.
Though our constitution does need revisiting, i do not think the Dual citizenship one should be altered. Dominicans who have dual citizenship should be allowed to get as far as a Minister of government.. but never as far as the Prime Minister – this i think, is an honorable position and should only be held by a Dominica.
I don’t think it really matters who else holds dual citizenship. Point of the matter is that it goes against the Constitution. Mr Alleyne used St. Vincent and Dominica in his example, but what he really should have done is use facts. Dominica vs France, which side of the fence will you be on? The fact that people got away with it before doesn’t make it right, otherwise it will never stop. Break the trend now!
“I don’t think it really matters who else holds dual citizenship”… it does matter as the leader of the uwp is a dual citizen.. Mr. Skeritt is not the only parliamentarian with dual citizen ship…
One more thing, about your statement, “The former Attorney General of the England is a born Dominican and there was no issue about her citizenship of place of birth”. Being born in a country doesn’t mean anything, so you need to find out what the AG’s citizenship was at the time before you make a point like that. Someone could be Dominican by birth, and not be a Dominican citizen.
Great observation… But this phrase would be important if it is worded properly in the Constituion…again.. it is up to the party using the phrase to denote its meaning as it is understood
Would DNO provide this clause in the constitution for readers?
You are so right what you said about the interpretation of this regarding the constitution. That is why you have different opinions as to what it means, you would even find lawyers with different interpretations from Sir Brain Alleyne as to what it says.
Lisad, do you know when Brian acquired his citizenship?
I would like to know.
hummmmm
I believe there is a qualifying phrase i.e. “by his own act” that is being glossed over in this debate. I would like Mr. Alleyn or some other legal mind to explain to me what this phrase means in the context of the referenced debate.
It means that the individual in question sought citizenship from another country as an adult and was well aware that he or she was pledging allegiance to another state. As opposed to acquiring it as minor, when parents are responsible for the decision making. This is the reason why time is the most important factor here, and not the dual citizenship itself. If the PM acquired French citizenship as a child, then he has nothing to worry about, and we can all put this behind us.
PLEASE ALLOW ME TO MAKE A STATEMENT THOUGH I AM NOT A MEMBER OF GOVERNMENT AND HAVE NO POLITICAL AFFILIATION WHAT SOVEER.
“if I took Dominica’s sideS” NO NEED TO TAKE SIDES YOU CAN BE NEUTRAL
I HAVE DUAL CITIZEN SHIP AS WELL AS MY SON AND MY HUSBAND THIS DOES NOT MEAN WE HAVE ALLEGIANCE TO THE OTHER COUNTRY AND NOT TO OUR BELOVED DOMINICA.
In most cases dual citizenship can be accepted or refused, in my case the opportunity provideD it self and i accepted FOR ONE OF MANY REASONS WHICH IS cause it is easier to traVEL with a known passport than one from dominica as most people will agree to. but this does not make ME non patriotic
your comments really dont make sence. u as a private citizen is fine to have duel citizen,but when u are a politican you will get a deplomatic passport so there is no reason to get hassel.
Dear Zuma,
Yes, it does mean that your allegiance is to the other country (I presume the US since you talk about known passport makes it easier to travel)!! I am sure when you took the oath of citizenship you said, “I hereby denounce” … any other previous citizenship. You cannot on oath denounce your DA citizenship for your own gain, and then say that this is where your allegience lies. That does not mean that you do not love the land of your birth … you may love it more than some of our leaders (I don’t know your heart). But yes, your allegience is to that new country!!
All wrong. I did not say I hereby denounce” since it is now acceptable to have dual citizenship. I have dual citizenship but my allegiance lies with the country that is of more benefit to me
But if you were in a situation where you had to choose. What would be your choice? Would you stand firm as a dominican or would you choose your other citizenship. The point Mr. A is trying to bring across is “what if”, “then what”.
Whenever you accept citizenship from another country you have to pledge allegiance to that country. IF you have US citizenship then rethink all what you attested to. If you do not remember go and sit in an oath ceremony.!!!!
These are the voices and leaders our country needs. I have been wondering about the where abouts of Sir Alleyne because we know him to be an honest and honorable person, and I would just not hear anything about him especially after Charles Savarine, like Esau and Jacob, sold the Freedom party to Skerrit and the labour party for a bowl of soup (his personal gain). I kow mr. Alleyne said he is a citizen of St. Vincent and if that is the case, we really need him to denounce his citizenship
and come back to his land of birth to the deliver us from the political decline that Skerrit has plunged this country into. We need good people with honest character to lead our beautiful contry because ALAS Skerrit ruined our country and is quickly turning it into a one man rule (not a one party rule as many think). We need to fell free again to oppose as free people without having a government asking its people to boycott our business.
Is tha
skewo!!!!!!
Dual citizenship is not anything new, infact even in bibical times there were men amd women who we not born in some countries who were leaders of great nations and they led those countries because it was their belief, that they were going to serve that country with all of their inner ability based on that particular assignment. The political roles is not a job that is bigger than that of a doctor, nurse, peace corp, judge, immigration officer etc/? infact there are Dominicans in other countries in the world serving as bishops, judges, parliamentarians and so forth, should they renouce their Dominicans citizenships Sir Allen?
I think the laws should be reviewed futher in light of the constant changing and integration of men and women who attain citizenships in other countries, but whose heart is still in their countries. Mr Allen there are many Dominicans who are serving in political positions in other countries, are you saying that with the education that comes with experience that it would make it impossible fo a patriotic Dominican to serve his country because he happen to hold a citizenship of another country because he tried to do the right thing while living iin that other country? Mr Allen most Dominicans who are serving in other countries are Dominicans at heart.
@wisdom, u clearly did not understand mr alleyne n prior concerns,,,,,my friend he is not referring to simply holding a job,,,,he said u
the issue here is not really the dual citizenship as it is about the constitution forbidding dual citizenship from holding political office.
Sir Brian is right. How can the PM ask Dominicans to abide by the laws when he is in violation of the constitution?
WAS the law not in place when BRIAN ALLEYN was in office,crap
Did he say he confesses to be both a citizen of Dominica and St. Vincent? Wasn’t this man the leader of the freedom party and a parlimentary representative for many years? When did this law come into effect then?I am so confused. However, I find this speech to be very honest and I do agree that as a leader one should not have dual citizenship . Maybe he should have used Dominica and Guuadeloupe/ martinique as an example instead.
if even he is a citizen of st vicent the constitution allows for commonwealth citizens to be elected , and st vincent is part of the commonwealth , so is dominica