Police chief given ultimatum over protest permits, fee

Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce has been issued a 14-day ultimatum to respond “satisfactorily” to demands from a social activist group regarding permits for protest marches.

Lalu Hanuman, an attorney and secretary of the Caribbean Against Apartheid in Palestine (CAAP), formally wrote to Boyce on June 3 in a pre-action letter, threatening the possibility of legal action. He questioned what law allowed the police to charge fees for CAAP to stage rallies and marches.

Hanuman also sought an explanation for why CAAP was recently denied permission to picket outside the Israeli consulate on Harbour Road ahead of the T20 Cricket World Cup at the nearby Kensington Oval. The planned demonstration aimed to call for Barbados to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over accusations of genocide against Palestine in the ongoing war with Hamas.

The showdown between CAAP and the top cop comes amid heightened tensions globally over the deepening Israeli-Palestinian conflict as protests flared internationally over the war in Gaza.

The activist lawyer’s ultimatum raises questions over the extent of constitutionally protected rights versus the security forces’ responsibilities during major public events.

A court battle appears likely if Commissioner Boyce’s response does not satisfy the activist’s demands.

“If a reasonable response is received based on law, then clearly there will be no court action. However, if no response, or if it’s unreasonable, then court action will follow,” Hanuman told Barbados TODAY on Wednesday. “If no response in 14 days, I will send a reminder giving him a further seven days prior to initiating court action.”

He disclosed potential legal action could take the form of a constitutional motion or judicial review.In his letter, he questioned why an “anti-Cybercrime Bill march” near the Oval was permitted last Saturday while CAAP’s protest was denied, both occurring in an “ICC T20 ‘Red Zone”.

“We have been charged various sums by the Police Service to hold our rallies and marches,” the pro-Palestinian activist wrote.

He also asked: “Under what legislation have such charges been imposed, and are they applied to all applicants?”

Hanuman argues the matter concerns protecting free assembly and expression in Barbados: “Placing a fee on the exercise of these fundamental rights is also an infringement.”

The attorney maintained that the engagement with police is not just about Caribbean Against Apartheid in Palestine, but about protecting basic human rights. He was adamant that these rights would be threatened if the Commissioner of Police could prevent the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb