International

UWP DOMINICA BOYCOTTING ELECTIONS

In a further move that had shocked Dominicans and the rest of the region, the United Workers Party (UWP) in Dominica have said that they will not contest in the upcoming general elections, stating that it is “an affront to our democracy and an insult.”

On Sunday, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit stunned residents when he announced that the date for the country’s next general elections would be held within a month on December 6th, 2022.

UWP Dominica – Google Play'деги колдонмолор — United Workers Party

In a statement, the united party said it views with “disappointment and dismay” the pronouncement by the Prime Minister to hold a “snap” general election, saying “this call for national elections is seen as an outrage to all Dominicans, especially the residents of the east of the country who were reeling under the impact of a natural disaster

“On the night when the country was expected to hear the Prime Minister lead the call to support those affected, Mr [Roosevelt] Skerrit decided to place his personal interest ahead of the country. This announcement must be condemned by all Dominicans as an affront to our democracy and an insult to our people.

According to the UWP, Dominicans cannot be asked at this time to participate in another national election without meeting at least two basic election standards: A clean Voters List reflecting the persons who can legally vote; and National ID Cards available to all the legitimate voters.

The date for elections came as a shock to many, particularly as the next general elections is not constitutionally due until April 2025. Equally worrying is that the main opposition had not selected a leader following the departure of Lennox Linton.

“Dominicans cannot be asked at this time to participate in another national election without meeting at least two basic election standards [namely] a clean Voters List reflecting the persons who can legally vote; and National ID Cards available to all the legitimate voters.”

The United Party said that the Caribbean Court of Justice, which is Dominica’s final court, had in a written decision noted “in its opinion…there remain areas of grave concerns about how the process of these elections (2019 General Elections) was conducted. Future elections in Dominica ought not to proceed with these or similar taints…” Furthermore, the December 6th election is likely to be held without electoral reform – a process which began in September 2020, headed by Sir Dennis Byron the former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice and Former Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. The Dominica government had expected to receive a final report by the end of December 2020 on Sir Dennis’ suggestions, which it previously indicated was “important for the country”. However no official document for reform has been presented to the public.

It is those series of events that has caused the opposition to declare the elections “fraudulent” and one in which they will not participate.

The party said that it was calling for President Charles Savarin to revoke the calling of the election, who last Sunday announced the date for the polls three years after he led the ruling Dominica Labour Party to a convincing 18-3 victory in the general election of 2019.

The Dominica Labour Party (DLP) was expected to reveal its “new-look slate of candidates” in the community of Mahaut this past Tuesday. Nomination Day in Dominica has been set for Friday the 18th November.

International

Chinese Government Offers Scholarships For 2025

The Government of China is providing full scholarships to Barbadian students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in that country, for the academic year commencing September 2025.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be citizens of Barbados in good health; high school graduates under the age of 45 when applying for general programmes; be 25 years old if pursuing undergraduate studies, and under 35 years old if pursuing a master’s degree – applicants must already possess a bachelor’s degree and graduated with at least Lower Second Class Honours.

Applicants must also be under age 40 if pursuing a doctoral degree and must have a master’s degree, or hold a master’s degree or that of an Associate Professor (or above) and be under age 50 when applying for senior scholarship programmes. Applications, procedures, and the relevant rules are available from www.campuschina.org or www.csc.edu.cn/studyinchina.

For more information on the scholarships for 2025, interested persons should contact the Tertiary Section of the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training at 535-0863, or visit www.mes.gov.bb. The deadline for the submission of applications is Friday, January 17, 2025. (PR/GIS)

International

People Of African Descent Take Centre Stage At UN

The start of the Second Decade for People of African Descent was proclaimed as January 1, 2025, by the United Nations General Assembly, yesterday.

The theme of the Second Decade is “People of African descent: Recognition, Justice and Development”.

The decade will mobilise United Nations agencies and the international community more broadly to focus on the challenges faced by people of African descent around the world and to promote the respect, protection, and fulfilment of all of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

During the course of the first decade, which ran from 2015 to 2024, the UN and its member states took a number of steps to address the challenges faced and promote the contribution of people of African descent around the world.

At the national level, Barbados has been pursuing reparatory justice through the work of Special Envoy Trevor Prescod. The University of the West Indies has established a partnership with the University of Glasgow that has led to the creation of a joint master’s programme on reparatory justice.

At the regional level, CARICOM has been pursuing reparatory justice through its reparations commission, chaired by Sir Hilary Beckles and through the Prime Ministerial sub-committee on reparations chaired by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

Upon the adoption of the resolution by the UN General Assembly, Barbados’ Ambassador to the UN, François Jackman, noted: “The facts surrounding the challenges faced by people and societies of African descent are increasingly well-known and well-understood – in part due to the higher profile these issues have assumed as a result of the proclamation of the First Decade.

“This welcome proclamation of a second decade will, however, inevitably lead to disappointment if we do not provide it and its programme of activities with the support that is required. It will therefore be essential for the international community to mobilise the necessary human and financial resources to realise the promise of this second decade.” (PR/GIS)

International

PRESIDENT XI JINPING CALLS FOR AN OPEN WORLD ECONOMY

During meeting with the leaders of major international economic organizations, President Xi Jinping noted that as each economy faces its own set of challenges, it is imperative to build an open world economy through cooperation, drive development through innovation, seize the important opportunities of the digital economy, artificial intelligence and low-carbon technology, foster new sources of economic growth, and support the cross-border flow of knowledge, technology and talent. Building “small yard with high fences,” decoupling and disrupting supply chains bring harm to others without benefiting oneself. China always believes that the world does well when China does well; and when the world does well, China will do even better. For countries, economic interdependence should be seen as a good thing that enables all to draw on each other’s strengths for mutual benefit and win-win results. It should not be taken as a risk.