Five regional associations representing women judges have condemned Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s recent criticism of sentences imposed in serious criminal cases.

In a joint statement issued last week, the organisations said they were gravely concerned about Browne’s suggestion that an unnamed judge should leave Antigua and Barbuda or face deportation and designation as persona non grata for imposing allegedly lenient sentences.

The groups said such remarks went beyond legitimate criticism of sentencing policy and threatened judicial independence.

They stressed that judges must decide cases according to the Constitution, the law, the evidence, sentencing guidelines and binding decisions from higher courts.

“An independent Judiciary is not an obstacle to public safety. It is one of the guarantees of a free, safe and democratic society,” they said.

Browne acknowledged that judicial independence is essential but argued that it does not shield judges or their decisions from reasonable public criticism.

He said his remarks followed concerns raised by law enforcement officials and citizens about sentences imposed in firearm and statutory rape cases.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Women Judges’ Groups Condemn Browne’s Remarks on Sentencing.