MP Liburd warns St. Kitts-Nevis could descend into total chaos and confusion

Central Basseterre Labour Parliamentarian, Hon. Marcella Liburd on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris of eroding democracy and warned that if a judicial system that is based on the separation of powers from the government is not restored St. Kitts and Nevis could descend into chaos.

Appearing on "Ask the Leader" on Kyss 102.5 FM Tuesday evening, the Deputy Political Leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) applauded the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Valston Graham and the St. Kitts-Nevis Bar Association "for breaking the silence (in the Donna Harris) matter and for standing up for what is right."

"All people of conscience must do the same thing if our country is to stop its slide down the slippery slope of abuse of power in the Court, in the country as a whole and in the government," said Liburd, who pointed out numerous infractions of the Harris sisters in the Magistracy and High Court Registry in St. Kitts and Nevis.

"There is no separation of powers in the country, one of the main principles of a true democracy," said Liburd, an attorney, who pointed out it was Prime Minister Dr. Harris' sister, Magistrate Donna Harris, who signed the warrant for the recent arrest of Leon Natta-Nelson, a potential Labour candidate to contest the St. Christopher 7 seat now held by Dr. Harris.

Liburd expressed the view that St. Kitts and Nevis "is on a dangerous path and if citizens of good conscience do not take a stand on these important matters we will descend into total chaos and confusion as a country."

"Justice in this country is now political justice. It depends on your political persuasions," said Liburd, who stated there are numerous complaints about the High Court Registry and cited the matter of a member of the legal fraternity, who having successfully applied for bail from a High Court judge on behalf of a client, had to wait for one full week to get the documents signed and the person released from prison.

"Documents of some lawyers are placed at the bottom of the pile while others are catapulted to the top of the list. This is one of the grave injustices that take place daily in the High Court Registry," said Liburd, a former Speaker of the National Assembly and former minister of health, community and social development and gender affairs.

She called for the restoration of a judicial system based on the separation of powers as it is one of the hallmarks of a true democratic nation.