........ of Magistrate Paryag
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| GBA's Ferguson and colleagues |
The Grenada Bar Association (GBA) is suspicious about political interference in the decision that was taken to sack the Number Two Magistrate in St. George's, Henry Paryag.
The magistrate was informed of his dismissal in a letter issued to him by Governor General, Sir Daniel Williams, acting on advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday outside the empty court that was once presided over by Paryag, President of the Bar Association, Ruggles Ferguson expressed grave concern over the dismissal of the magistrate.
Ferguson sees this latest move as part of the continued attack on the local judiciary by the ruling New National Party (NNP) administration of Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell.
He told reporters that Paryag received a letter from Attorney General, Elvin Nimrod, approximately six months ago informing him that he would advise the JLSC not to renew his contract when it ended.
It is understood that when Paryag responded to the AG he was told that no reason needed to be given for his removal from the job. Paryag's letter of dismissed took effect from January 1, 2007.
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| Henry Paryag |
According to Ferguson, the bar views the dismissal of one of the two magistrates within the town of St George without a replacement is of grave concern to the judiciary.
He said that already 60 cases have had to be put-off over the three day period since the court remained vacant.
He added that Magistrate Paryag had a number of judgements to deliver in court and actually had part-heard several matters pending before him.
The GBA President pointed out that the justice system is already clogged up on the island and to have these court matters adjourned is of serious concern.
In recent years, relationship have been rather strained between the Mitchell government and the local bar.
Local lawyers strongly protested against government's decision to try and appoint controversial Jamaican barrister‹At-law, Hugh Wildman as the island's Attorney-General.
Ferguson admitted that there "is no end in sight for an improvement in the situation" between the administration and the local bar.
He said that what the lawyers are trying to do is protect the judiciary's independence.
He charged that the attacks by the NNP government on the judiciary in Grenada is increasing as is evident by the recent departure of high court judge, Justice Davidson Baptiste following an encounter with Wildman.
The judge was recalled following representation made to JLSC by the Mitchell government.
Ferguson also made mention of the most recent attacks levelled against Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Christopher Nelson who was accused openly in the 2007 budget debate in Parliament by Prime Minister Mitchell of being politically partisan.
The Grenadian leader accused Nelson of not pursuing cases involving the NNP but those of his friends in the opposition.
Outspoken Barrister-at-Law, Anslem Clouden who also participated in the press briefing felt that the judiciary in Grenada is in a chaotic condition and that the situation cannot be allowed to continue for much longer.
Clouden called on the international committee to intervene in the Grenada situation and urged the general population to stand firm and protect the independence of the judiciary.
Like Clouden, another local barrister-at-law, Ashley Bernadine spoke of the polarisation of power and authority in Grenada.
He referred to government's insistence to get Wildman into the AG position, as well as continued interference of the State into judicial matters.
This newspaper understands that a replacement for the ousted magistrate has not yet been found.
Government is said to have spent the past few days making frantic efforts to get a replacement.
