Dominica’s main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) today called on the Dominica government to review its existing relationship with Libya in light of the ongoing unrest in that country relating to democratic rule.
The party also wants the Roosevelt Skerrit government to ensure the safety of Dominican students who are studying in the North African country.
“The UWP is concerned about development in the Middle East, including Libya and Morocco. Most disturbing is that citizens of Libya, who are seeking higher levels of democracy, are reportedly being murdered by their own government. This is a most despicable act which should not be tolerated in any civilized society,” UWP spokesman on Foreign Affairs Edison James told the Dominica News online website.
James said it is against this background that the UWP is also calling on government to ensure that all nationals working or studying there are able to leave immediately.
“Additionally, all ongoing arrangements to send Dominicans to Morocco for the purpose of pursuing study should be put on hold until conditions change for the better,” he said.
“Government should also explain the extent, if any, to which recent arrangements with Morocco might be affected by the current unrest,” said James, a former prime minister.
Dominica’s Ambassador to Libya Emmanuel Nanthan has confirmed that there are no Dominicans studying or working in Libya.
Dominica enjoys a close relationship with Libya. In 2005 Prime Minister Skerrit visited the country for talks with Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi
Libya has assisted Dominica in establishing the “Yes we Care” programme that the authorities have described as a “major social initiative that will bring relief to the most vulnerable people in Dominica, the elderly”. (CMC)
