KINGSTON, Jamaica:
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled that Jamaican Shanique Myrie be awarded a total of Bds$75,000 or $3.6m Jamaican dollars.
The ruling by the six-member panel was delivered via a video conference in the Supreme Court.
The court declared that the Barbados government breached Myrie’s right to enter the country under article 5 of the revised treaty of Chaguaramas.
Myrie took the Barbados Government to the CCJ alleging that she was discriminated against because of her nationality when she arrived in Barbados on March 14, 2011.
The 25-year-old also claims she was subjected to a body-cavity search in unsanitary and demeaning conditions before being detained and deported the next day to Jamaica.
The Barbados Government denied the claims and argued at the hearing that the Jamaican woman had been untruthful to Immigration Department officials.
Its lawyers also contended that her testimony was contrary to what she had provided in statements to the Barbadian police.
Myrie wanted the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment for CARICOM citizens moving within the region under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Myrie had asked the CCJ to award her almost US$500,000 in punitive damages for the treatment she received on her visit to Barbados.
She also wanted the regional court to award costs and special damages.
THE MYRIE CASE TIMELINE
March 14, 2011 – Myrie travels to Barbados and was deinied entry after reported inhumane cavity search.
January 12, 2012 – Application filed to Caribbean Court of Justice after Jamaican and Barbadian authorities failed to arrive at a settlement.
February 17, 2012 – First case management hearing by video link from the Supreme Court to ensure all relevant documents were filed and the way the case should proceed.
April 20, 2012 – CCJ ruled that there was sufficient grounds for Myrie's case to be heard.
September 27, 2012 – Jamaican government given permission by the CCJ to intervene in the hearing.
December 12, 2012 - During a case management conference by video link at the Supreme Court a trial date was set for the hearing to start March 4, 2013 in Jamaica to reduce expenses for Myrie.
March 4-6, 2013 – CCJ sits at Jamaica Conference Centre, Kingston, Jamaica to hear Myrie's testimony.
March 18 and 19, 2013 – case resumes in Barbados where the Barbadian government presented its case.
April 8 and 9, 2013 – Final hearing at which the lawyers made submissions before the CCJ at its Headquarters in Trinidad.
October 4, 2013 – CCJ ruling handed down.
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