Barnett launches book to bridge educational gap on constitutional matters
CONSTITUTIONAL expert Dr Lloyd Barnett last Thursday launched the second edition of his booklet The Jamaican Constitution: Basic Facts, Principles and Questions with the aim of tackling the educational deficiency regarding Jamaica’s supreme law.
Barnett, a distinguished attorney and former president of the Jamaican Bar Association, released the first edition of the publication in 1992 with the aim of allowing Jamaicans to understand how the constitution works and to promote effective discussions on constitutional reform.
In the preface of the second edition, which comes amid the current attempt by the Government to reform the constitution, Barnett states, “The second edition not only updates the first but is designed to assist in promoting an understanding of the questions which have now arisen for our consideration.”
During the launch held at St Luke’s Church in St Andrew, Barnett explained that the book will not only simplify parts of the constitution for more Jamaicans to understand but proposes questions related to Jamaica’s current third cycle of constitutional reform, which includes proposals to establish the country as a republic.
He expressed concerns about public engagement in the electoral process, emphasising the need for greater understanding of the importance of the constitution and the need to generate more interest among Jamaicans in the process.
“The booklet is aimed at providing a simple but clear description of our constitutional system… In the local elections just concluded, apart from the varied interpretations of the results, the turnout of the voters was less than 30 per cent, and that attracted our attention… Some knowledge of our constitutional system is essential to an understanding of the significance of our political parties and an interest in the constitution will encourage participation in the democratic process,” he said.
Electoral Commission of Jamaica Chairman Earl Jarrett described the release of the book as timely, specifically referring to the section that explains laws related to the issues arising from the recently concluded local government elections.
“I note that this edition has a chapter on local government. It is my own regret that this book was not launched before the recent local government elections, as it clearly sets out the changes made to the constitution in 2015 and the creation of local authorities as well as the requirements of Parliament regarding these local authorities,” Jarrett said.
“It also defines the organisation of the 14 local authorities, consisting of two municipalities and 12 parish councils.
It goes on to explain how the local governance set-up in St Catherine, which has two local authorities, is different from that of Kingston and St Andrew, which has only one local authority. The book is so precise in its explanation that it would cover the concerns and conspiracy theories that emerged after the recent local government elections,” Jarrett added.
He said the release of the book at this time shows the need for more public education on the country’s laws. He credited Barnett for writing the book in a way “that can be easily understood by a broad cross-section of persons”.
Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte, who was present, expressed concern about the lack of understanding among Jamaicans concerning constitutional procedures.
“One of the issues which could be described as a problem or an opportunity is how much the people are aware of what currently exists and what we are seeking to do, and I believe that this is why Dr Barnett’s work is so critical, and the time of the launch could not be any better,” she said.
“The knowledge deficit among our people becomes even clearer and we know that the type of reform that we hope to achieve in this cycle will require the approval of the people after the Bill is passed by Parliament,” Malahoo Forte said.