Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene has said the Antigua and Barbuda government will never deport a judge, insisting that the administration remains committed to judicial independence and the separation of powers.
Greene addressed the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s recent remarks about sentencing during an appearance on the Beneath the Surface radio programme on WTP.
“This administration never deported a member of the judiciary, and it will never happen,” Greene said.
He argued that the debate should not be allowed to create the impression that the executive, legislature and judiciary are at odds, warning that such division would ultimately benefit criminals.
“The respect for the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary is guaranteed. It’s protected,” Greene said.
He also read from a subsequent statement issued by Browne seeking to clarify the government’s position.
“To remove all doubt, no judge will be removed, reassigned, deported or otherwise dealt with by executive fiat,” the statement said. “Questions concerning the tenure, assignment or conduct of a judicial officer are governed by the Constitution and the law, and those arrangements will be respected.”
Greene acknowledged that Browne’s initial comments were made during what he described as a moment of frustration over the increase in gun violence and public concern about sentencing.
However, he said the prime minister’s clarification should end speculation about possible executive interference with the judiciary.
Greene urged the country to return its attention to the central issue of violent crime and called for level-headed, objective and nonpartisan discussion.
He said the three branches of government must work together to address gun crime, warning that criminals benefit when the institutions responsible for maintaining law and order appear divided.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: FM Greene Says Government Will Never Deport a Judge.