Jamaica moves towards a republic: bill to oust King Charles submitted

Jamaica's government has begun the process of transition to a republic by submitting a bill to remove King Charles from the post of head of state. Writes UNN with reference to The Guardian.

Jamaica has begun the process of abandoning the constitutional monarchy by submitting a bill to the parliament to remove King Charles from the post of head of state and transition to a republic.

After gaining independence in 1962, Jamaica, like many former British colonies, retained the British monarch as a symbolic head of state. His functions are performed by the Governor General, but the position is largely ceremonial and is perceived as a legacy of the colonial past. If the new legislation is adopted, the President of Jamaica with the same symbolic powers will become the head of state.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, who presented the draft law, noted that the initiative is a response to numerous calls from citizens to amend the country's constitution.

“Every year, when we celebrate independence on August 6, the nation is invited to reflect on its achievements since independence and what remains to be done, and every year the question is asked when we will abolish the monarchy and have a Jamaican head of state,” she said in an interview with the Guardian.

The bill will also affect the definition of Jamaican citizenship and change the country's political structure, in particular by expanding the Senate to include senators independent of political parties.

The draft law needs to go through several stages, including consideration by joint committees, a vote in parliament, and a national referendum. However, the initiative may face obstacles. Opposition parties have already expressed concern about the timing of the bill ahead of next year's national elections and the lack of provisions to replace the British Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice as Jamaica's highest court of appeal.

“We don't think you can say that you are fully decolonized if you still have the Privy Council as the highest court. You can't get away from the king, but you still have to go to him when you want justice done for your people - and in that context, the Privy Council as the highest court is an anachronism,” said Senator Donna Scott-Mottley, justice spokesperson for the main opposition People's National Party.

She also noted that the opposition is ready to work on the bill in cooperation with the government. “This is not about political parties, it is about our nation, our people and the completion of the path to full independence for Jamaica,” she emphasized.

Malahoo Forte noted that the government of Prime Minister Andrew Holness is taking a step-by-step approach to reforms, and the next step will be issues related to the judiciary.

“Over the years, a lot of work has been done, but we have not been able to submit the draft law to the parliament. Adoption of the amendments requires the adoption of a draft law on judicial reform,” she explained.

In Kingston itself, the news of the bill caused a mixed reaction among local residents.

“The British don't really do anything significant for our country, so there's no point in having them as the head of state. Besides, it's harder for us to travel to England than to any other country... so by all means, end the monarchy,” said Maureen Brammer.

To recap

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