Report of Constitutional Reform Commission delayed until 2024

The submission of the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) report has been delayed by at least another five months.

Chairman of the commission, retired High Court Justice Christopher Blackman confirmed the delay on Tuesday in an interview with Barbados TODAY.

While declining to specify the new submission date, he disclosed that he is now looking to hand over his report in the New Year.

Blackman said it would not be possible to meet next month’s original deadline as there were several outstanding areas of proposed reforms still to be examined.

“We requested an extension which is being considered by Cabinet, but we have not gotten back a response yet. We have asked for an extension…. I don’t want to say the time, but it’s into the New Year,” he said.

“We have covered citizenship, we have covered defence and security, almost finished the fundamental rights, we have done the preamble, we have done substantial work on the judiciary, and we now have to look at Parliament and the executive, and the public service.”

The CRC head said the responses from the public, which were received some time ago, are still under consideration.

“So we have taken them on board and are packaging them into our deliberations,” he said.

The terms of reference of the 10-member commission which was launched on June 24 last year to advise the Government on the formulation of a new Constitution, specifically provided for the CRC to undertake four tasks within a 15-month period.

The broad-based panel is required to examine, consider and enquire into the Constitution of Barbados and all other related laws and matters, for the development and enactment of a new Constitution for Barbados.

It must also make recommendations to the Government on the reforms that would meet the circumstances of a 21st century Barbados and promote the peace, order, and good governance of the country; and provide for consideration a draft Constitution.

The CRC is also tasked to make recommendations on all matters which in its opinion are relevant to the attainment of its aims and objectives.

A month ago, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said she expected to meet soon with the commission.

“I have deliberately asked to be at the backend so that I don’t influence others. I want to hear what the population is saying,” she said.

Mottley, opting not to say when that meeting would take place or how soon after that a new Constitution was likely to be ready.

The Commission’s warrant of appointment provided for two strategic objectives – to consult the people of Barbados, nationally and in the diaspora, on the content of the Constitution and the desirable reforms; and to prepare and disseminate relevant material to widen public knowledge of, and interest in the Constitution of Barbados and, accordingly, the draft Constitution.

On the heels of public criticism that the Government intended to transition to a republic without the benefit of nationwide consultation, popular mobilisation and other critical reforms, Prime Minister Mia Mottley had promised Barbadians that beginning January 2022 and into 2023, a programme of public consultation would start with reference to the concomitant constitutional reform project.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb