00:00Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Brown says he respects the constitutional role of the judiciary
00:06but is standing by his criticism of sentencing outcomes in Antigua and Barbuda.
00:11He says his comments came amid concern over firearm violence and statutory rape,
00:16including sentences he believes have not adequately reflected the seriousness of those offenses.
00:22Brown wrote to Facebook saying, quote,
00:24judicial independence is essential to democratic government. However, it does not place judicial decisions or the administration of justice beyond
00:32reasoned public criticism, end quote.
00:35He rejects any suggestion that he was attempting to interfere with a particular case or influence a judge's decision, saying,
00:42quote,
00:42my remarks did not direct the outcome of any case, seek to reopen a decided case or invite anyone to
00:49disregard an order of the court, end quote.
00:51But Brown says his warning was directed at the judicial hierarchy over the application of laws governing serious firearm offenses.
01:00He said, quote,
01:01It was a last resort warning to bring attention to the judicial hierarchy that if they fail to address the
01:07indiscretion and deliberate disregard of their members for the legislation on serious firearm crimes,
01:13which provides for up to 15 years custodial sentencing, then our government may be forced to use other remedies to
01:20protect the citizenry, end quote.
01:23Brown also makes clear that his government has not sought to interfere with the tenure or assignment of judges.
01:28He maintains that criticism of sentencing and judicial independence can coexist, saying, quote,
01:34further, I do not accept that forceful criticism of sentencing practice is by itself an attack on judicial independence, end
01:42quote.
01:42He also challenges the view that an appeal is the only mechanism available when concerns arise over sentencing.
01:49While acknowledging the role of the director of public prosecutions in challenging individual sentencing,
01:55Brown says wider questions require broader examination.
01:59The PM said, quote,
02:00However, it is not the only lawful means by which a democratic society may examine systemic failure in the dispensation
02:08of justice, end quote.
02:09And he is proposing just such an examination.
02:13He says he has written to the chief justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court proposing an independent committee to
02:19review sentencing for firearm and other serious violent offenses, repeat offending, and the wider criminal justice system.
02:27He has suggested former CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders as chairman, with former CCJ President Sir Dennis Byron and Justice
02:36Godfrey Smith also consulted.
02:38Brown said, quote,
02:39This is a firm constitutional and evidence-led response to a matter of urgent public importance.
02:46The proposed review would examine sentencing data, assess whether outcomes align with legislative policy, and recommend reforms.
02:54Brown says the issue is particularly urgent given the regional impact of violent crime.
02:59He said, quote,
02:59Judicial independence and institutional accountability are not opposing principles, end quote.
03:05He is advising the heads of judiciary to support the proposed review, insisting his government wants no control over the
03:12courts, but does want a criminal justice system that protects the public.
03:16Ravashita Wari, Rupanarang, TV6 News.
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