Jamaica: Farewell to the Queen

As Jamaica simultaneously celebrates the Diamond Jubilee and its 50th year of independence the country’s Prime Minister has signalled that Jamaica will become a Republic.

Marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in Jamaica with tributes, gospel songs and flag waving the Montego Bay Mayor told the crowd,

As we celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee, let us not forget our progress in the last 60 years, as we also celebrate our own milestone of 50 years as an Independent nation.

Jamaica declared independence in 1962 ending 307 years of British Rule, but in the run-up to its 50th Anniversary (August 6) a 2011 survey reveals that 60% of the Jamaican population believe they are better off as a British Colony.

The Republic reform would give ultimate power, in all criminal matters, to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice as Jamaica's highest court, ending appeals to the judicial committee of the Privy Council, in London.

The intended reform and issues relating to the shift of power will be tackled by leading international lawyer, Judge Patrick Robinson, who is on his way to Britain to forcefully argue that ‘it is time to replace the Monarchy with a Jamaican Republic.

Judge Robinson, President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia will make the case for a radical change in Jamaica’s relationship with its former colonial rulers including an end to the Privy Council’s powers over the judicial system.

The outspoken Judge has stated,

When Jamaica became independent in 1962 the Constitution should have provided for a final appellate body in Jamaica. The failure to do so, and the concomitant retention of the UK Privy Council have only served to nourish the seed of unfitness, incapacity and inferiority planted in our heads by three hundred years of colonisation: It may have been alright for the British to think that we were not good enough to be masters of our own destiny in matters judicial. But did we have to agree?

Judge Robinson will present the ‘ground-breaking’ lecture ‘Monarchy, Republicanism and the Privy Council’, in Central London on Tuesday, 19th June 2012, at 6:00pm at The University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 3PH.

The event is free, but the organisers say registration is required as spaces are limited. Please contact the Jamaican High Commission at 0207 808 8003/1 to register your attendance. Email: jamhigh@jhcuk.com.