Barbadians urged to attend constitutional reform meetings

Chairman of the Constitutional Reform Commission, Mr Justice (Retd) Christopher Blackman, is urging Barbadians to participate in the upcoming public meetings, and make suggestions for inclusion in the new Constitution of Barbados.

Blackman made the comments ahead of the first meeting, which will be held on Sunday, October 16, at The St Michael School, Martindales Road, St Michael, from 5 to 8 pm.

The Chairman said: “The meetings will provide an opportunity for members of the public to say what they would wish to see in the Constitution of Barbados.  At the launch of the Commission on June 24, I said the task of fashioning a new Constitution was not only for a few, and that all Bajans bore that responsibility.  The Commission would welcome the public’s ideas, no matter what the topic may be.

“All suggestions will be considered by the Commission. Every proposal or idea might not be appropriate for inclusion in the Constitution, but if it is thought to be beneficial for the country as a whole, the Commission would recommend that primary legislation be formulated to address the issue.”

Blackman noted that critical aspects of the existing Constitution would be retained as “there are basic provisions that are standard for all sovereign, democratic states, such as the judiciary, the preservation of fundamental rights, and the foundation for the maintenance of good governance of Barbados”.

Meetings will also be held on Sunday, October 30, at the Alexandra School, Queen’s Street, St Peter, and Sunday, November 6, at Deighton Griffith Secondary School, Kingsland, Christ Church.  All meetings will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.