‘Breaking the Chains of Colonialism’ is one of the most widely used arguments for Grenada to adopt the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final appellate court.

Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon Mia Mottley, who addressed the gathering at the Trade Centre on Wednesday 29 August, during the official launch of the promotional activities for the CCJ, presented on the aforementioned topic and created a stir among many who are champions for the anti-colonial cause.

One such person, who openly disagrees with this theory to break colonialism through the adoption of the CCJ, is Attorney at Law, Jerry Edwin, a well-known anti-colonial champion. Speaking to the Barnacle, Edwin stated that he believes the entire campaign, which speaks to Grenada acceding the CCJ as the final court of appeal, is “dripping with hypocrisy”.

Not only are Grenada’s laws filled with colonial era-based laws, but those who are pushing the ‘yes agenda’, without fully disclosing the Bill in its entirety to the public are described as “hypocritical”.  “It’s ironic that the people who are saying that this is an anti-colonial struggle, are clothed in their affection for Queen Elizabeth’s praise”. It is nothing more than a campaign to push a yes without fully disclosing to the people of Grenada what the four corners of this thing are.”

The fact that Grenada’s Law Books are made up of 98% of colonial-era laws, according to Edwin, shows that this is indeed a false rally to end colonialism.  He went on to mention the Industrial Laws (Factory Act) which was written in the 1950s but is still on the books. Laws pertaining to Sexual Abuse, and Criminal Procedures, were all adopted from the United Kingdom Savings Clause in the 1974 Constitution, which according to Edwin, states that all the laws that were pre-independence are now adapted to the new Constitution, and is otherwise referred to as ‘Good Law’. Flogging, an inhumane punishment is being challenged by Attorney Edwin and others, to be removed from the Books, as it screams oppression, has been referred to by the current Attorney General, Sir Lawrence Joseph as ‘Good Law’. It is saved under the old colonial laws.

“The precedence of the chains of colonialism speaks to an oppressive society and an oppressive set of laws. This shows up when we take grown men and beat them,” Edwin continued.

Using the argument that Grenada is no longer a colony of the United Kingdom, and therefore it is important for the Caribbean countries to stand together as one ‘United Caribbean’, was Sir Lawerence Joseph, during his presentation at the launch.

He insists that “the Privy Council is one of the last vestiges of colonialism which exists in Grenada,” and, it is a “distinctive colonial medallion around our necks.” Attorney Jerry Edwin described this argument of anti-colonialism as “cheap, dishonest politics.”