Caribbean Times 98th Issue - Thursday 22nd September 2016

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6 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Thursday 22nd September 2016 PM Browne delivers instruments of ratification for the Paris Climate Change Agreement Antigua and Barbuda joins 28 other countries to ratify the Paris Agreement on Global Climate Change today, Wednesday 21 September. The Paris Agreement was opened for signatures on 22 April 2016, and will remain open to Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN- FCCC) until 21 April 2017. This is an important milestone for Antigua and Barbuda, and for the Paris Agreement, which is one step closer to entering into force. The Paris Agreement becomes international law based on a dual “trigger” – when 55 parties have ratified the Agreement, and 55% of the goal of emissions are covered by the Parties. Before today, 28 Parties representing 39% of global emissions had ratified the Agreement. The Paris Agreement wasn’t expected to enter into force until 2020, however countries including Antigua and Barbuda are demonstrating leadership to address the global threat of climate change, and reduce emissions to meet the target of less than 1.5oC increase in global average temperatures. On 3 September, both China and the United States of America ratified the agreement; an important move as the two nations are the largest greenhouse gas emitters – they represent 20% and 18% of global emissions respectively. While historic, this action also comes on the heels of the need for developed countries to ramp up their actions to dramatically reduce emissions to meet the 1.5-degree target. Current emissions have the world on track for a 3-degree global temperature increase by 2050, which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said would have devastating economic and social impacts. The Paris Agreement also provides for climate financing to assist the most vulnerable people in the world – including small island states like Antigua and Barbuda – who face the real threat of climate change. Implications based on Antigua and Barbuda’s INDC In 2015 Antigua and Barbuda submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UNF- CCC. This Cabinet-approved policy document indicated the steps that the twin-island state will take towards mitigating and adapting to climate change. Written within this policy was the understanding that Antigua and Barbuda’s INDC would reflect actions that married both mitigation and adaptation, since the country’s global contribution to greenhouse gas emissions are negligible. Antigua and Barbuda’s INDC targets are conditional on receiving financing for implementation. How else could the small nation of less than 100,000 people support the financing of climate resilience on all buildings by 2030? Or protect all waterways to reduce risks of flooding and health impacts? Or provide affordable insurance schemes for farmers, fishers, and residential and business owners to cope with losses resulting from climate variability? Antigua and Barbuda has set ambitious targets to contribute to the global climate goal for adaptation, with the hope of ramped up financing and support. Delivering the instruments of ratification will therefore be the turning point for Antigua and Barbuda, particularly as a Small Island Developing State, ensuring that the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement are met. Other Caribbean states, such as Bahamas, Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis, have already delivered their instruments. Indeed, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne will stand alongside the others that have come before him, strengthening the stance of Small Island Developing States. The world continues to wait and watch, anticipating the full ratification of an Agreement that will mean survival for some and continued prosperity for all humankind.
Thursday 22nd September 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 7 Plans to make the justice system more accessible says AG By Everton Barnes The Cabinet on Wednesday discussed the possibility of establishing a Trust Fund for the Eastern Caribbean Appeal Court similar to how the Caribbean Court of Appeal is funded. Cabinet spokesman Lionel Max Hurst said the matter was raised at the meeting by Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General, Steadroy Benjamin, who brought attention to the remarks by the Chief Justice of the OECS Court of Appeal, Janice Periera, at the opening of the law year on Tuesday. During her remarks, Chief Justice Periera, raised concerns about attempts at judicial interference which she said were on the rise. “The Attorney General put forward By Joanna Paris The Attorney General of Antigua and Barbuda, the Hon. Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin has indicated that the legal system in twin island state will be further advanced to make the court system more accessible to members of the public. During the special sitting to commemorate the opening of the 2016/2017 Eastern Caribbean Law Year on Tuesday, Minister Benjamin mentioned that there have been major improvements in the administration of justice, which can be attributed to strong practice and planning, by all parties involved. He commended the Reg- Attorney General, the Hon. Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin istrar High Court, Registrar of Lands and the Registrar of Intellectual Property and other persons who are responsible for administering justice in Antigua and Barbuda. agencies who played a part in The Attorney General the country’s legal process. made a commitment to the The Minister mentioned Chief Justice of the Eastern that during the new law year, improvements will be made to security protocol as it relates to the protection of judges, magistrates, masters and all Caribbean, that the new family court building will be fully operational before the end of the law year, assuring that Antigua will set the example for the proposition that, one certain method to further insulating the Court of Appeals, is to fund this important Court in a manner similar to the way the CCJ is funded. A Trust Fund of US$100 million dollars serves the CCJ through interest payments made by the investments of the Fund,” Hurst reported. He said the amount for the OECS Appeal Court would be smaller, but it would mean that the court would not be dependent on governments’ subvention and would then be totally insulated and independent. Hurst noted that the AG informed his Cabinet colleagues that he was sure that the ‘attempts at interference’ could not have come from Antigua and Barbuda, nor does he believe that any of the other the other Caribbean islands to follow. Also this year, according to the Attorney General, “a Crown Prosecution service will be established this law term and we will call on Justice Redhead to guide the way forward along with other legal advice.” He also announced that the Sentencing Act will also be passed later this year. The Legal Aid Department will be relocated on November 2nd to the building located on top of Redcliffe Street which formally housed Pearl Vision or downstairs General Insurance. This, the Attorney General noted will allow the department to be more accessible to the public. Cabinet discusses trust fund for Appeal Court governments were involved. In her remarks, the Chief Justice did not identify the source of the attempted interference. On Monday night’s town hall meeting organised by the National Coordinating Committee on the CCJ/Privy Council, former Attorney General, Justin Simon raised the issue of a trust fund for the Appeal Court to ensure that it can function without having to rely on subvention from governments. He said practically all the territories owed the court large sums of money and that the institution needed to have a source of funds independent from governments’ treasuries. The methodology used to finance the CCJ is widely considered as a ‘best practice’ by countries around the world.
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Caribbean Times 98th Issue - Thursday 22nd September 2016

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