By Kenicia Francis
The Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association (ABBA) has responded to Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s recent criticism of the judiciary’s approach to bail and sentencing in gun-related cases.
Highlighting the need to preserve public confidence in the judiciary, the ABBA warned that criticism from public officials can erode trust.
According its Facebook page, the ABBA — which is responsible for educating the public on basic issues of law and current legislation — emphasised the importance of separating powers between government branches to prevent abuse and ensure democracy.
The association encouraged officials and citizens to verify facts before criticising the judiciary, cautioning that uninformed criticism can lead to distrust, disrupt the balance of power, and ultimately threaten the rule of law.
However, PM Browne promptly took to social media to air his grievances with the ABBA’s response and defend his stance.
He argued that the judiciary should be held accountable for its actions, adding that in the face of a significant national security threat, they should be supporting stricter sentences, and an end to routine bail for gun crimes, instead of making what he perceives as excuses.
Browne accused the judiciary of prioritising intellectual legal arguments over public safety and effectively emboldening criminals.
In PM Browne’s opinion, to earn respect, the judiciary must work with law enforcement to impose harsher sentences and deny bail to dangerous individuals.
Meanwhile, a local online media platform quoted former Commissioner of Police Rawlston Pompey who also criticised the ABBA for its perceived inadequate response to what he sees as verbal assaults on the judiciary by the government.
He apparently argued that the ABBA should focus on addressing serious crimes and their impact, rather than defending the judiciary.
Pompey also accused some lawyers of misconduct and suggested that the association should police its own members better.
This entire exchange has highlighted the ongoing tension between the government’s push for tougher measures against gun-related crimes and the legal community’s concerns about preserving the integrity and independence of the judicial system.
Some experts believe that it is crucial for a healthy democracy to have a separation of powers between government branches.
This concept, also known as the system of checks and balances, ensures that no one branch of government has too much authority, thereby preventing abuses of power and protecting individual rights.
It promotes accountability because each branch checks the actions of the others, ensuring that no branch oversteps its authority.
