Why we must Defend Democracy, Rule of Law and the Constitution of Dominica
Dominica is an English speaking parliamentary democracy in the Caribbean and part of the British Commonwealth. Just a few years ago the Dominican and wider Caribbean community in Washington, DC had occasion to host the then Dominican-born British Attorney General, Baroness Patricia Scotland of Ashtal at the tribute called Caribbean Glory: A salute to the British West Indians who served in the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force during World War II. The Dominica Academy of Arts & Sciences President Dr. Clayton Shillingford gave Baroness Scotland an award for excellence in public service and for having brought honor on her land of birth and –by extension – all Caribbean people.
Among us today are many distinguished Dominicans who had parents or family members in military service during World War II. Among them Edison James, Sir Brian Alleyne, Simpson Gregoire, Atherton Martin, Carol Severin, the Ferreira’s of St. Joseph, the Burton Family of Roseau, Swinburne Lestrade, Derek Angol and others. Today a few of those who so bravely served are alive; Mr. Cletus Angol, Twistleton Bertrand, Star Lestrade and GON Emmanuel among them. Why is this important? This is important because World War II was essentially a battle to save the democracies from fascism, racial prejudice and conquest as represented by Adolf Hitler. Dominicans were in that cause on the side of right and some gave their lives. Today, the information we have is that our government appointed someone – who they should have known was a Nazi – to be ambassador to Ireland. No due diligence was done. That is lawless, reckless and anti-democratic. It is a disgrace and an insult to our noble heritage and our heroes who went on before.
We believe that our failure to secure our democracy on Dominica is primarily due to the sad lack of knowledge of that noble tradition and our failure to hold those who lead us accountable. That lack of self knowledge of our past, removes from the national consciousness that sense of direction and purpose. Such a failure in upholding democratic governance has led to increasing lawlessness on our island.
If on our radio, television and other media, we hear nothing of the struggles for democracy by those who resisted slavery such as Balla, Jaco and Congoree, we are poorer for it. Today we hear little or nothing of those who fought for representative government in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s such as Cecile Rawle, JB Charles, Clifton Dupigny, and Ralph Nichols. If we do not know of the role of Elma Napier, Phyllis Shand Alfrey and Emmanuel Loblack in promoting a culture of citizen participation in government and social justice we are rudderless as to our heritage. If we forget the modesty and integrity of Leblanc; If we forget the promise of independence in 1978 and those who crafted our constitution, then we are lost.
Our effort is to make of this cause to protect our constitution, a teachable moment. We shall pursue all means of media and forums to educate our people and engage in reasoned discussion and debate on that which ails the nation. It is by such reasoned and respectful dialogue we shall overcome this sad state of affairs where the Prime Minister states boldly: That no law and no constitution can stop him from running for office. Such disregard for law and order is deplorable and has sent a chilling message. He stands for election, and is elected. A case is called and then he refuses to answer to the question: Did you have a French passport when you were an adult? Where a head of government can engage in such irresponsible use of language and conduct, then criminal acts cannot be arrested and crime escalates in our once peaceful land.
And it is for that reason, in light of the increasing disregard to our constitution; a judiciary subject to government bias; the disrespect for law and order in high and low places; the calls to shut down businesses such as Q95 whose owners criticize government, that we have to admit that our democracy is under threat. Today we ask for your support. We shall need funds to:
a. To promote the appeal to the decision by Gertel Thom in the recent case of election eligibility
b. To assist the defense of Dominican Patriot Dr. Thomson Fontaine who is being sued by the Prime Minister after he exposed the sale of passports and appointment of crooks as diplomats
c. To publish a booklet on our constitution and our principles, to so educate Dominicans about our constitution; that every Dominican shall have a copy of the supreme law of the land in their homes and commentary to go with it.
d. To promote democracy and rule of law values on Dominica;
This call is to those in government and those outside government. This is not a call by a political party – for we are not that. When we defend the constitution and lawful behavior, we defend all Dominicans – including responsible and lawful government action.
We are a group of concerned Dominicans, some of whom who have been associated with the Labour Party; others who have been associated with the Freedom Party and the UWP – and others who have no partisan axe to grind. We have all come together in common cause to defend democracy because our government has rejected dialogue in so many areas:
1. The Prime Minister is yet to admit or deny whether he has a French passport
2. The Prime Minister is yet to halt the sale of our passports and the appointment of the unscrupulous as diplomats – the diplomats of shame, Nazi and multiple crooks
3. The Prime Minister has never sat down with the nation and gone through the MOU with China to let us truly know what he has done with them. We want mutual respect and balance between Dominica and China; we want cooperation with all nations, not domination.
4. The Prime and his regime has done nothing to address the increasing marginalization of our people in banking, industry, energy, and commerce to the point where our own people are becoming second class citizens in their own land.
5. Our current government – and that includes the cabinet – has done nothing to fairly, responsibly and professionally investigate the GON Emmanuel fire, the Villa issue, the Susan Oldie passport controversy, the Bin Purchase Scandal and other matters in national controversy. All these matters could have been resolved by the appointment of a commission of inquiry. Commissions of inquiry – where pursued with diligence and integrity – are traditional tools of our democracy to right matters which have gone wrong. We will support the call for a commission of inquiry into all matters of corruption in public office. We ask our government, what do you have to hide?
Finally, we ask those who are listening – or those who receive this message -that where you can spend $100 on a Calypso show or Creole Festival, or $100 on a pair of jeans, or a shoe, then you can spend $100 to secure your country’s future. Democracy is only maintained where we have an enlightened citizenry; an organized community, equipped and so able to advocate for good governance and rule of law. Where we are disorganized, or unable or unwilling to secure our country and its democratic future, it shall be taken away from us. We ask you now, Dominicans at home and abroad: Defend your country; defend your democracy. Let us not allow our country to become a failed state; a haven for crooks; and a neo-colony in which our people are rendered servants to a new master race. Let us build a broad democratic front to demand that our government respects us and acts in the national interest at all times.
Please go to your phones now, or use your computer, to make a pledge; make a contribution. We call on you at home and abroad to act. You have nothing to lose where you stand for what is right, lawful, just and proper. Stand behind the land we love. Stand behind lovely Dominica. As the old folk song teaches us: Pa Quitay Yo por Domnik hod nou. Let us not let them take Dominica from us. God Bless Dominica and all Dominicans!
