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Judge to Decide On Vybz Kartel Case Today

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KINGSTON, Jamaica — A ruling in Vybz Kartel’s habeas corpus case is expected to be handed down today at 2:00 pm in the Supreme Court.

The ruling will be delivered by Judge Andrea Thomas and follows the conclusion of arguments made by the defense and the prosecution in court on Wednesday afternoon.

Lawyers representing Kartel and two of his three co-accused filed the habeas corpus application seeking their release on Monday, May 14 because of issues the defence did not wish to disclose.

The application follows the Privy Council’s Thursday, March 14 ruling that Kartel and his co-accused have their convictions quashed for 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

The Privy Council had ordered that the case be returned to Jamaica’s Appeal Court to decide whether a retrial is necessary for Kartel and his co-accused Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John.

The application follows the Privy Council’s ruling on Thursday, March 14, which quashed the convictions of Kartel and his co-accused for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

The Privy Council had ordered that the case be returned to Jamaica’s Appeal Court to decide whether a retrial is necessary for Kartel and his co-accused Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John.

The Privy Council’s ruling followed an appeal made last month (February 14 and 15) by lawyers representing the then-convicts, who argued various grounds, including the admissibility of telecommunication evidence, allegations of jury misconduct, and pressure on the jury to reach a verdict.

Another ground cited for appeal was the judge’s decision to not discharge the jury or the accused juror following allegations of bribery attempts.

The appellants also argued that there was an apparent rush placed on the jury to return a verdict, even after the forewoman had told the judge earlier in the day that the jury could not reach a unanimous decision.

Since the ruling, the artiste has remained in prison. Shortly after, Kartel questioned the need for a retrial in his statement to Fox 5 News, saying, “I feel victorious in this very moment as the Privy Council, in their infinite wisdom, understood the assignment and remedied the situation by quashing my conviction! I am now back to being an innocent man in the eyes of the law. A grave injustice was done to me and my co-accused in the original trial… and my cries were heard in the land’s highest court.”

He added: “I am confident that the Court of Appeal in Jamaica will do the right thing in the name of equity, fairness, and justice and free us. Some people have expressed their concern to me that a retrial may be ordered, but to them I say (albeit with my limited knowledge of the law), ‘What is there to retry?’”

In April 2014, Kartel was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after serving 35 years of his sentence. His co-accused were also handed life sentences – with Shawn Storm and Jones being eligible for parole after serving 25 years, and St John being eligible after serving 15 years.

(Jamaica Observer)

Regional

Caribbean Leaders Rally for Immunisation Progress at 38th EPI Managers’ Meeting

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Caribbean health officials gathered for the 38th Caribbean Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Managers’ Meeting, held from 28-30 October, where renewed urgency for immunisation efforts and HPV vaccine promotion took centre stage. The regional meeting, hosted in St. Kitts and Nevis, spotlighted progress and ongoing challenges in the effort to raise vaccination coverage across CARICOM Member States following setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her address, Dr Rhonda Sealy, Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), commended Caribbean health leaders for reversing the decline in vaccination rates but emphasised the need for continued momentum, particularly around HPV vaccinations. With the Caribbean grappling with vaccine hesitancy and disruptions to healthcare access, Dr Sealy highlighted the importance of the HPV programme within the broader Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, as countries move towards a one-dose schedule in line with recommendations.

Dr Sealy outlined a strategic roadmap to sustain immunisation successes, calling for strengthened political and financial commitment. “Maintaining our targets for eliminating polio, measles, and rubella requires us to achieve and sustain a 95% coverage rate,” she urged. She advocated targeted strategies to improve vaccine accessibility for children under five and reiterated the importance of training healthcare workers to address vaccine hesitancy effectively.

Dr Daniel Salas, Executive Manager of PAHO’s Special Programme on Comprehensive Immunisation, echoed Dr Sealy’s commitment to strengthening HPV vaccination in the region. “The Caribbean is known as a leader in disease elimination,” he declared. “I urge you to be the first subregion to eliminate cervical cancer and reduce the toll of preventable disease.”

The meeting also celebrated regional achievements, with Jamaica receiving the esteemed Harry Smith Award for the most improved immunisation coverage in 2023. Grenada was honoured with the inaugural Beryl Irons Award for its excellence in surveillance and immunisation achievements. Additional surveillance awards went to Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Belize, acknowledging their strides in immunisation monitoring and public health commitment.

Curtis Martin, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health in St. Kitts and Nevis, praised PAHO’s vital support, noting, “PAHO’s technical expertise in EPI is a global best practice. The transfer of skills and knowledge has had a measurable impact on our region’s health systems.” He emphasised that “health is too big to fail,” underscoring the need for PAHO’s ongoing involvement in the Caribbean’s public health endeavours.

Dr Solange Kobi-Jackson, speaking on behalf of PAHO/WHO Representative Dr Amalia Del Riego, acknowledged the progress made in 2023, crediting committed healthcare professionals, government investment, and public trust in vaccination. However, she cautioned that maintaining immunisation gains and reestablishing the Americas at the top of the global immunisation rankings remains critical.

The meeting concluded with a workshop focused on risk communication strategies for boosting vaccine uptake, where Caribbean EPI managers shared innovative approaches to address public concerns and overcome vaccine hesitancy. Presentations from health officials from Turks & Caicos, Grenada, and Suriname offered insight into managing measles outbreaks, preparing for new vaccine rollouts, and responding to adverse events.

Chaired by Professor Peter Figueroa, Chair of the Caribbean Immunisation Technical Working Group, the meeting left participants with a sense of urgency and collective resolve. “Vaccination has averted an estimated 154 million deaths globally, and we must remain vigilant to uphold this legacy,” Professor Figueroa urged, calling on Caribbean nations to reach and maintain 95% vaccination coverage.

Under the theme “Stronger Together: Advancing Immunisation, Eliminating Disease,” the 2024 EPI Managers’ Meeting underscored a regional commitment to collaborative health efforts, aiming to build a healthier, disease-free Caribbean.

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Local News

Visa-Free Access for Guyanese Effective From Nov. 1 

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 A Welcome Change, but with Mixed Reactions

The introduction of a visa-waiver for Guyanese travelling to the British Virgin Islands, aimed at deepening ties with the oil-rich nation, has prompted mixed reactions from both Guyanese residents in the territory and those at home.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley confirmed that as of November 1, citizens of Guyana would no longer need a visa to visit the British Virgin Islands for up to six months, whether for tourism or business. 

This move eliminates the often lengthy and complicated visa application process that had previously been a barrier for many.

“This step strengthens the bond between our countries and the region, facilitating greater ease in travel, trade, tourism, and investment. It underscores our shared vision of regional cooperation and opens new opportunities for people-to-people exchange. Many of our Caribbean brothers and sisters already benefit from visa-free access to the BVI, and we are pleased to extend this offer to Guyana, a giant in our Caribbean community,” Premier. Wheatley said during a press conference on September 30.

For many Guyanese, particularly those who have lived and worked in the BVI for more than two decades, the visa process had been a source of frustration. 

Long-time resident Natasha, who has called the BVI home for more than twenty years, welcomed the change, describing it as long overdue.

“It really is about time that this was done,” Natasha smiled. “I’ve lived in the BVI for over twenty years and was very annoyed when I had to get a visa after being granted a work permit. Made no sense to me, but what can I say—when you’re in another man’s country, you adhere to their rules.”

The issue was first raised during a 2023 trade mission, when both the BVI government and private sector visited Guyana.

The British Virgin Islands is keen to position itself as a key player in Guyana’s burgeoning oil industry, offering specialised services in finance and other sectors. 

At the same time, the Guyanese government is keen to ensure its citizens have the freedom to travel internationally with ease. Reflecting this shift, the United Kingdom in 2022 has also eased visa restrictions for Guyanese nationals.

While some share Natasha’s relief, others in Guyana are less enthusiastic. For many, the BVI has not been a primary travel destination, particularly as Guyana has gained visa-free access to the United Kingdom and streamlined visa procedures for European Schengen countries. 

A Guyanese, who resides in Georgetown, added that, “After we’ve been given visa-free access to the UK and we can now get our Schengen visa right here in Guyana, the BVI is not really at the top of my bucket list of places to visit.”

Indeed, the perception that this new policy will lead to a surge of visitors from Guyana appears exaggerated. 

A Guyanese who previously visited the BVI voiced her appreciation for the Territory but downplayed the likelihood of a major influx. 

“I love the BVI, and yes, I would visit again,” she said, “but this notion that we are going to be passing through in the hundreds to take up permanent residence in the BVI is utter foolishness. I am quite happy being home.”

The exemption reflects a broader move by the BVI government to ease restrictions for Caribbean nationals, pushing for regional unity and enabling greater mobility across islands with historical and cultural links. Guyana, with its vibrant economy and close community ties across the Caribbean, is seen as an important partner in this vision. 

While some are ready to embrace the opportunity, others view it as an optional advantage in an increasingly accessible world.

As the BVI opens its doors, the hope is that this policy will facilitate more meaningful exchanges between the two countries. 

But whether it will lead to significant shifts in travel patterns remains to be seen. 

In the words of Premier Wheatley, “We are pleased to extend this offer to Guyana,” but for many Guyanese, the decision may simply be a convenience, not a game-changer.

 

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International

UN Resident Coordinator Simon Springette Visits Virgin Islands to Strengthen Development Efforts

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Simon Springette, the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, has arrived in the Virgin Islands for a two-day visit aimed at bolstering collaboration on sustainable development initiatives. His visit, spanning from October 1 to October 2, is seen as a pivotal moment in advancing the Territory’s development goals.

Mr. Springette will formally present his credentials to Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and engage in high-level discussions focused on joint efforts to address key development challenges facing the Virgin Islands. Premier Wheatley underscored the importance of the visit, noting, “The Resident Coordinator’s presence signals a deepening relationship with the United Nations network, which will lead to tangible results that positively impact the lives of everyone in the Virgin Islands.”

In addition to meeting with Premier Wheatley, Mr. Springette is scheduled to hold discussions with the Government’s Sustainable Development Goals National Coordinating Committee (SDGNCC). These talks will focus on the implementation of the UN Country Implementation Plan (UN CIP) for the Virgin Islands, which serves as the national instrument for realizing the UN Multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) 2024-2026. This framework is the primary planning and programming tool for the Caribbean region.

A key highlight of Mr. Springette’s visit will be the official launch of the Working Group on the Development of a Roadmap to Improve Access to Development Finance for Eastern Caribbean Overseas Territories. The initiative is designed to create a strategic plan aimed at enhancing access to development finance, addressing critical issues impacting the region.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, which is committed to fostering sustainable growth across the Virgin Islands, has welcomed Mr. Springette’s visit. The Ministry continues to promote economic, social, and cultural sustainability through strategic partnerships and forward-thinking policies, aiming to improve the quality of life for all residents.

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