KINGSTON – The case brought by Jamaican Shanique Myrie, against the Barbados Government began in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) by way of video link with the Supreme Court here yesterday.
Myrie is accusing Barbadian officials of a cruel and vulgar cavity search at the Grantley Adams International Airport on March 14 last year.
At the case management conference yesterday morning, officials were satisfied that all relevant documents had been filed.
A date is to be communicated for the start of the hearing which was likely to be in April.
Justices Adrian Saunders, Jacob Wit and Winston Anderson are presiding.
Myrie is being represented by Jamaican attorneys Michelle Brown and Marc Ramsay.
Lawyers representing the Attorney General’s Office were also present.
The case, said to be the first of its kind before the CCJ, will be asking the court to determine a critical issue which will be used as a precedent.
Myrie, 22, wants the CCJ to determine what is the minimum standard of treatment to be given to CARICOM nationals, moving within the region under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and its goal of hassle-free travel.
She is alleging that degrading treatment was meted out to her at the hands of Barbadian officials at the airport.
The law firm had allowed time for both governments to attempt to settle the issue. However, when a settlement was not reached, Myrie’s lawyers obtained leave from the Jamaica government to file the action. (From Jamaica Gleaner)
