Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) Ronald Green is looking forward to attending a court hearing which will determine the fate of the La Plaine constituency.
Green lost that seat after a recount following the December 18, 2009 General Elections to the incumbent Parliamentary Representative Petter Saint Jean of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP).
On Wednesday afternoon, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (High Court Division) upheld a dual citizenship charge against Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Saint Jean, who is also the minister of Education and Human Resource Development. The UWP has alleged in one of five election petitions that Skerrit and Saint Jean are holders of a French passport.
“For over 15 years I have served Dominica in parliament. I have served Dominica another 15 years before that in local government. I will continue to serve the country in the best way I can. It appears that continuing as a member for La Plaine is still an option,” Green said.
Chapter 3 Part 1 of the Dominica Constitution outlines the requirements for qualification and disqualification as a parliamentarian. ‘Disqualifications for Representatives and Senators’ (32) states that “A person shall not be qualified to be elected or appointed as a Representative or Senator (hereinafter in this section referred to as a member) if he- 1. is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.
For more on that section of the constitution click on:
http://www.da-academy.org/DA_Constitution.html
A trial date involving the alleged dual citizenship charges will be announced at a later date by the court.
Three of UWP’s election petitions were struck out by the court, because of lack of evidence.
Justice Brian Cottle read out a 65-page verdict handed down by Justice Errol Thomas, outlining the analysis of each of the petitions in detail.
Counsel representing UWP Attorney-at-Law Geoffrey Letang criticized Judge Thomas’ decision.
“I didn’t agree with how he applied the law in certain aspects, but his judgment has to be scrutinized to decide if the issue of appeal is necessary,” Letang told the media on Wednesday following the hearing at the High Court of Roseau.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Francine Baron-Royer said she is confident that the incumbent administration will be victorious in the upcoming trial.
“It is an indication that it is not a matter of making statements. One has to have some substance when standing in a court of law,” she said.
Does Ron green realy have dual citizenship? Could some more educated on the matter advise. In the meantime I place a hold my remarks.
@genocidalpm: nothing trubling us in loubiere, we love our pm
McCoy Tyner – I have read and digested your updated information. Thank you. If so and is the case . I must point out that those who lives in glass houses shouldnot be throwing stones. Why are they pressuring the Prime Minister in reference to Dual Citizenship? .
Do I detect a form of enviousness? All Dominica need is a form of togetherness to enable the island to reach its heights like most Caribbean islands in the West Indies. I wil pray for the Prime Minister in all his adversities.
The UWP and their medi moguls are acting as though Mr. Skerrit has no supporters and that the 62% voter confidence he and his party got in December 2009 has dissipated into thin air – a mere seven months later. What nonesense. Mr. Skerrit has supporters beyond the Senior Counsel and the Executive of his party. He has supporters among the rank and file of Dominica. That is why he is the most popular PM ever in the history of Dominica. Simply because we are not on radio every day does not mean that we are not supportive of Mr. Skerrit and the good work he is doing.Let him call a rally at the stadium and you all will see the real support. he should not call any meeting in any building – out in the open so that his true strength will be uncovered. Eddison has finally called for “boots” around the Financial Centre, others from his party has called for a revisit of May 29th 1979.They will be surprised at the response of Mr. Skerrit’s suporters.
IS NOT WHAT YOU KNOW OR BELIEVE BUT WHAT YOU CAN PROVE!!!!
Edison & Norris were born as British subjects/citizens as were all persons born in Dominica prior to November 3rd, 1978.
On that they one had a choice, to keep British Citizenship or take Dominican. Both men kept their British citizenship and still to this day hold British passports……
Ron Green is a US citizen and he has not renounced his US citizenship.To do so if one is living outside the US at the time or renunciation has to make an appointment at a consular office/embassy for the procedure to be carried out. It is also irreversible and that person has to apply for a Visa to visit the US or use Visa Waivers if they apply to their new country…(Japan/Britain/France..etc)
Ron Green has not done so. The very challenge that he is making, he and at least three other members of his party were in direct violation to the constitution as they themselves are guilty of the same infractions they accuse St. Jean and Skerrit of.
The UWP will lose this case, and their support will continue to erode.
The PM is a popular well liked PM and the people will punish then at the polls.
The leader of the Opposition seems like a puppet in this whole thing….what a waste of a young political life.
RIVERS, I need to ask you this, Why should the Prime Minister give up his French Passport even if the nationals of Dominica wants him to stay. Do you think anything will be changed immediately?
I am really and truly baffled by all these. Again treat me like a two year old and educate me.
Persons upon persons has got dual citizenship. and they are the President and Prime Ministers. Again, if we go way back into History and even up to this present day, there are persons who are not even born into that same said countries yet they are the leader. Rules of the law is the rules of the law, but how many of us do adhere to it?
Whoever brought this to court needs to look at themselves before casting the first stones, and they also need to remember “those who lives in glass houses should not throw stones” I hope everythng goes well for the Prime Minster and his minister/s. What are the reasons that lead to the behaviour of these people who are behind all these?
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Wisdon you must be the biggest idiot on this planet. Ask yourself this question…………..who is she representing? You guys come on this website and talk nothing but crap. Why don’t you put that energy towards building a better Dominica.
@block 44: And you have no problem with the person holding the highest office in the land, knowingly breaking the law and being arrogant about t?
@Anonymous: And if it were so, dont you believe just like the judge threw out the other three charges he would have thrown that out also, there must be some kind of merit to the claim, for the judge to allow it to go to trial
Is the AG the lawyer for the labour party or the AG of Dominica? What is she defending in court?
When you get beaten by the pepperman it is hard to recover.The American fighting the French man for Dominica.
Can someone tell me why the AG is not invoking the Treason act?
Is the post not a nuetral one?
Why is she defending … and punishing Dominicans?
And using our tax money to do so.
Acts of genocide against innocent Dominicans
Over 16 dominicans disappear in the past year while in dominica’s waters.
Dozens of fishermen threatened at gun point by French pirates in Dominica’s waters.
Political interference to release French Pirates caught and arrested by Dominica coast guard for illegally fishing
In Dominica’s waters.
Innocent villagers of layou made to in hail silica dust while Fellow French national excavates an entire hill less than 50 feet up wind of the village. An act of genocide holding serious consequences iunder the French Laws. The sames acts of genocide are being granted by the French national pm to the innocent villagers of loubiere, Pt Mitchell , colihaut ….
When humble national servants like senior surgeon Dr Paul, who makes life saving decisions on a daily basis has to hold 4 jobs (including raising pigs and chickens)to meet his modest lifestyle.
Yet, how do young judges who delay critical decisions for months and years and endanger innocent victims by their pompous and arrogant inaction, can afford to drive the most expensive car ever to be licensed in Dominica on a civil servants salary.????
“Something’s Happening”
“Where there is smoke there is fire.”
Your allegiance is judged by your action and in action.
Saint Mary’s primary school children, Girls guides, scouts and teachers face yet another year of genocide by being exposed to degrading asbestos. The microscopic asbestos powder blows directly into the claserooms of SMP which are less that 20 feet down wind of the asbestos buildings which have been condemned for many years.
This inaction of genocide is being done … because the Roseau central did not vote DLP.
did not the French massacre hundreds of our forefathers while breaking a truce?
best workers just live skerrit and his administration alone and when God ready for them they will know because is 99 days for the voleh and one day for the police and that police is christ so make them run their show!
A PERSON IS DISQULIFIED TO REPRESENT IF HE OR SHE BY VIRTUE OF HIS OWN ACT UNDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ALLEGIENCE OBEDIENCE OR ADHERENCE TO A FOREIGN POWER OR STATE. NOW IF THIS IS ENGLISH AS WE UNDERSTAND AND UNLESS THERES SOME HIDDEN SECRET IN THIS STATEMENT, THE PM AND MR STJEAN HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR, BECAUSE TO MY KNOWEDGE UNLESS I HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD THEY BOTH GOT THEIR CITIZENSHIP BY THE VIRTUE OF THERE MOTHERS BEING FRENCH AND NOT BY TAKING AN OATH OR PLEDGING THEIR ALLEGIENCE TO FRANCE.I HAVE REQUESTED FOR FRENCH NATIONALITY BY MY REQUEST AND AS I AM ACCEPTED I HAVE TO TAKE AN OATH AND MAKE MY PLEDGE , MY CHILDREN WILL NOT HAVE TO DO SO BECAUSE THEY HAVE OBTAINED IT FROM ME .ITS THAT SIMPLE . LETS STOP WASTING TAX PAYERS MONEY AND THE COURTS TIME
Well,at least Ron Green knows the Constitution of Dominica.In comparism to the DPP,who said in a statement , that, the Constitution of Dominica, section 34,and 34.2, gives him all his powers to charge certain individuals; pertaining to the charges brought against either 12 or 25 Public Officials for not filing the proper document disclosing their assets, on a timely manner.
That statement was not quite true.It was inacurate. And coming from the DPP,made it somewhat outrageous. Allmost to the point of laughter…The sadness of it all,was no one said anything,or questioned him….
People,know your Constitution.Get familiar with it at the very least. It is the supreme Law of your Land.All of your Rights,fundamental and legal are included,and protected by it…
Oh,..by the way,that’s a very nice picture of the AG,isn’t it ?.Beautiful smile. Wonder what sweet her so?( lol)….
Anyway……..All the best to you….
@jo: THE PM DID NOT TAKE A OATH BEFOR AN FRENCH IMMEGRATION OR FRENCH OFFICIAL HE OBTAINED HIS PASPORT OR CITIZENSHIP THROUGH HIS MOTHER. MY MOTHER IS FRENCH AND WHEN MY SISTER OBTAINED HER CITIZENSHIP SHE DID NOT DO SO BY STANDING BEFOR ETHE FRENCH AND TAKING AN OATH OF ALIGENCE SHE DID SO THROUGH OUR MOM WHO BCAUSE OF BEING FRENCH GAVE THAT RIGHT TO HER.
ALSO LETS BE LOGICAL AND REALISTIC HERE THE PM TOOK ALL HIS SCHOOLING IN DA AS A FC. SERVED THE VC COMMUNITY AS A FC WAS A TEACHER AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL AS A FC
AND MUCH MORE AS A FC THAT WAS NOT A PROBLEM SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM OF HE BEING OUR PM AND DOING A GOOD JOB AT THAT AS A FC?
THATS A LAW THAT NEEDS TO B FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET . AS LONG AS THE PERSON HAS A HEART FOR THE COUNTRY AND HAVE LIVED THERE LONG ENOUGH THEY SHOULD B ABLE TO SERVE THAT COUNTRY IN ANY WAY
“LOSS OF FRENCH CITIZENSHIP:
Final authority for loss of citizenship lies with the French government.
NVOLUNTARY: The following is grounds for involuntary loss of French citizenship: Person serves in a foreign military or civil service and has not complied with French orders to leave such service.
French citizenship information is summarized from the above-mentioned law. Any action concerning French citizenship should be taken after consulting with a French immigration lawyer or the official authority responsible with French citizenship. ”
He must have been commissioned to serve as PM, chair CARICOM, ECCB etc as French agent.
Ron Green,
Is it true that you served in the Dominican parliament while holding U.S. citizenship for 15 years? If not, how many years did you serve while holding US citizenship? just Ax i Axing….lol.
why all the force, if the prime minister lose that fight all he has to do is apoint a pm, step down give up the french citezenship and get ready for next election,no one can stop him ,because he has resided on dominica for the past 10 years,he has paid his taxes, his good to go.
people lets forget about that for a while ,we will bring that up in next election .for now lets see how we can build our country …..TOGETHER..
How many Dominicans disapear at sea?
Where did the haitian dictator ‘ Baby doc’ retire with the millions stolen from Haiti?
Is Skerrit not allowed to run Da as french agent running?
“LOSS OF FRENCH CITIZENSHIP:
Final authority for loss of citizenship lies with the French government.
VOLUNTARY: Contact the French Embassy for details and proper paperwork.
INVOLUNTARY: The following is grounds for involuntary loss of French citizenship: Person serves in a foreign military or civil service and has not complied with French orders to leave such service.
French citizenship information is summarized from the above-mentioned law. Any action concerning French citizenship should be taken after consulting with a French immigration lawyer or the official authority responsible with French citizenship. “
Is this why when I go fishing the French fishermen chase me at gun point?
Why is Ron Greene so into bringing down the Prime Minister like that. You mean to tell me that for how many years Skerritt and st Jean in Politics, that this was’nt looked at? why now?
It’s just another POWER HUNGRY RON GREENE trying to bring down the DLP and DOMINICA.
I respect Mr. Greene but he has to give it a rest, we all want what is best for Dominica , what next, are you going to gadette saffaire to pull all the PM sKELETONS IN HIS CLOSET?
When you dig a grave for one, dig two.
My question to the A G madam who are you working for it is for Skerritttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt or the people of Dominican what you really think you doing, why you have to be defending that greedy wicked selffish man just to stay in power but dont worry all of you all going packing just now because one bad apple spoiled the whole bunch galllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, and i hope you will able to save your self which will be to late for you madammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm A G
One small controversy did arise in 2005 when Michaëlle Jean was appointed the Governor General of Canada (official representative of the Queen). Although Jean no longer holds citizenship in her native Haiti, her marriage to French-born filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond allowed her to obtain French citizenship several years before her appointment. Article 23-8[20] of the French civil code allows the French government to withdraw the French nationality from French citizens holding government or military positions in other countries and Jean’s appointment made her both de jure head of state and commander-in-chief of the Canadian forces. The French embassy released a statement that this law would not be enforced because the Governor General is essentially a ceremonial figurehead. Nevertheless Jean renounced her French citizenship two days before taking up office to avoid controversy.
Dominicans-let us stand on the principle here please????? does it matter if Ron is doing the same thing Skerrit is? Right is right, wrong is wrong. Even if the most powerful, beautiful persons on earth are doing wrong-it’s wrong anyway. When will we take our country back and bring back some integrity? There was a time when we thought for ourselves. Now we like remote controlled monkeys. This one doing so i can do too…..seriously? SERIOUSLY???? sheesh
that is why when i say is not my weed that officer is not my weed that….Good for the goose and the gander
CORRECT ME PLEASE- IS THE AG SUPPOSE TO BE NEUTRAL? JUST ASKING
OPEN LETTER to the PM AND the AG
Stop making a mockery of the Dominican Public….
1. Mr Skerrit obtained hi french citizenship in 2007
2. he attempted to renounce the french citizenship on the monday before nomination day but he could not get a hearing before nomination day…
3. after the elections he went over to st-lucia to renounce the french citizenship
4. this renounciation of the french citizenship has not yet taken effect.
Addictional facts to the myth:
– one does not acquire french citizenship by simply travelling to the french territory.
(If you need to verify this just as “Petter St-Jean” how his children obtained their french citizenship)
last time i spoke to them the had never lived in guadeloupe or Martinique ….
FINALLY : why would the PM Skerrit go on Radio in 2006 and say, and i quote ” i told the french that if i had to apply for a visa to come to the meeting in guadeloupe that i would not be attending..etc ..etc.”
why would he make such statement if infact he had his french nationality since 1972???
why hide the fact that he had it all along before the question was put to him???
why why why
advice to the AG : dont make a fool of yourself in this matter because am sure you know what disclosure is ok..
But you Ron Green have dual nationality too, man you are something else we, Eddison have dual Nationality too, Bearnard Wheelchair, Sam rapheal, Arthie Martin, Earl Williams was born in England, man you need to grow up even if the PM or Mr. St. jean lose you will never ever be our PM, you don’t have what it takes.
This is such a simple issue to deal with, why are we spending so much money on straight legal matters.
If during the first term the PM had presented his credential to run as a parlimentarian, the authorities did not check to certify that he was eligible then , we have to ask ourselves who was in power then and find out why it was not varified.
The rule of law is the rule of law and no one is above the law. So if the people of Dominica want the P.M to stay as such , they should make representation in parliament so that the law can be changed quickly and ask the P.M to give up the French passport, only then the PM can remain as such.He might be a good person and if he has to go it is just another passage of our political history.
BUT I FIND RON GREEN WELL BOLD AND OUT OF ORDER TO HAVE DUAL CITIZENSHIP AND THERE TRYING TO BRING SOMEONE ELSE DOWN FOR THAT. I HOPE HE CLEAR, BECAUSE IF SKERRO GOING DOWN RON GREEN GOING DOWN TOO BECAUSE HE IS BRITISH.