Regional News

Last year Jamaican national Shanique Myrie claimed that she had been physically and verbally abused by immigration officials at the Grantley Adams International Airport on her arrival in Barbados.  In April, Myrie took her case to the Caribbean Court of Justice where she was granted leave to file a case against Barbados.  The Jamaica Government has applied to the CCJ to become a party to the court action on the grounds that it has implications for the country and its citizens but Barbados has reportedly filed an objection. Jamaica’s Attorney General Patrick Atkinson said Jamaica was awaiting a response from the CCJ on a date for the hearing. Myrie is seeking 118 000 Jamaican dollars in special damages, including the cost of her ticket, medical expenses to date, medical report, slippers, and interest, as well as unspecified amounts in moral damages, exemplary damages and aggravated damages.  She also wants further investigations to identify the individuals who she claimed assaulted and unlawfully detained her and to have them prosecuted and punished in criminal proceedings.