Process to get under way next legislative year

Jamaicans who today (June 7) eagerly anticipated the Government of Jamaica’s charting of the process to see the country’s transition from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, will have to wait a while longer.

Despite expectations that Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte would have this afternoon outlined the steps to be taken to facilitate the transition during her contribution to the 2022-2023 Sectoral presentation, the minister informed that a detailed plan outlining the process would not be forthcoming until the next legislative year.

According to Malahoo Forte, “there are important substantive and procedural issues to be resolved to ensure a smooth transition to a republic,” and for this reason, “it is my intention, in leading the process, to work assiduously to place something before the Parliament, unless more pressing matters overtake, for the start of the next session”.

The Constitution of Jamaica defines the term ‘session’ to mean, “the first sitting of that House when it meets after the prorogation of Parliament”.

Notwithstanding this, however, the minister promised: “The work is to be done in time for the next session so that the steps can be taken in time for the next general election.”

In the meantime, Malahoo Forte shared that, to further the process of moving from republic recommendations to action, she has made a proposition to appoint a Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) to include representatives from the Government, parliamentary opposition, relevant experts and the wider society.

She stated: “I have set out the work to be done by the committee in very broad terms, specifying, inter alia, that it will involve at this stage the conduct of a thorough and comprehensive review of the 1962 Constitution, including the 2011 Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedom, as well as recommendations for reform made through the various constitutional reform commissions and committees in the past, to ultimately implement an ambitious reform agenda, settled by consensus.”

She added: “There are many steps to take between now and the tabling of a new constitution. I will advise when the committee is fully constituted and keep everyone up to date on all progress made.”