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  • Dominica Business Forum calls out Electoral Commission’s ‘silence’, insists on clarity ahead of Roseau North by-election

    Dominica Business Forum calls out Electoral Commission’s ‘silence’, insists on clarity ahead of Roseau North by-election

    ROSEAU, DOMINICA – June 28, 2026 – As the Commonwealth of Dominica prepares for a high-stakes by-election in the Roseau North constituency, the non-partisan Dominica Business Forum Inc. (DBF) has publicly called out the country’s Electoral Commission for its prolonged silence on key electoral process questions, demanding immediate transparency to uphold public trust in the upcoming vote.

    The by-election was triggered by the official resignation of sitting Member of Parliament Miriam Blanchard on June 12. Under Dominica’s constitution, a by-election must be held within 90 days of a parliamentary vacancy, putting the vote on the calendar long before ongoing electoral reforms are scheduled to be fully implemented.

    The upcoming contest carries outsize importance: it marks the first major electoral test of the sweeping electoral reform legislation passed by Dominica’s parliament in March 2025. DBF analysts note that the vote is unfolding under highly unusual and complex conditions that have created uncertainty for voters and candidates alike. Most notably, the new national voters’ register, a core component of the 2025 reforms, will not be finalized in time for the by-election. The ongoing voter confirmation process is set to run until October 15, 2026, with a possible three-month extension. Even with this limitation, the DBF emphasizes that other key provisions of the new law – including rules guaranteeing all candidates equal access to state-owned media – can and should be fully implemented for the Roseau North vote.

    At the heart of the DBF’s criticism is the Electoral Commission’s refusal to address outstanding questions about how the vote will be administered under the current incomplete reform framework. The five-member commission, led by chairman Duncan Stowe, has ignored repeated public requests from prominent Dominican businessman Gregor Nassief for clarification on the nearly year-long suspension of new voter registration, a gap that has already eroded public confidence for many citizens.

    The DBF laid out the core unanswered questions hanging over the by-election: Will voters who have already completed the new confirmation process be removed from the existing old voters list? If they are removed, will their names be added to a temporary updated roll to allow them to cast a ballot in the by-election? The organization stresses that answering these questions is not just a public service – it is a constitutional duty for the Electoral Commission. If the commission continues to refuse to provide clarity, the DBF says, it will validate existing calls from Nassief for all commission members to resign or have their appointments revoked.

    The DBF has issued an urgent appeal to Stowe to address the Dominican public immediately, to outline the commission’s current readiness to administer the by-election and clear up confusion around voter eligibility. Under the current timeline, the DBF acknowledges that holding the by-election using the existing old voters register is an unavoidable outcome.

    Beyond the Roseau North contest, the organization issued a sharp warning against any potential early general election called before the voter confirmation process is completed. While Dominica’s constitution grants the prime minister the authority to call a general election at any time, the DBF argues that holding a national vote before the new register is finalized would be “immoral, unethical, and grossly disrespectful” to all Dominican citizens. If Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit moves forward with an early general election under these conditions, the DBF says the international community – including the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Commonwealth Secretariat – must intervene and scrutinize the outcome.

    In a separate push to strengthen democratic engagement ahead of the by-election, the DBF has extended an invitation to all three confirmed candidates to participate in a public debate to lay out their policy agendas for the Roseau North constituency and the country as a whole. The candidates include Daniel Lugay of the United Workers Party (UWP), Ashma McDougall of the incumbent Dominica Labour Party (DLP), and Joann Green of the United Workers Party (UPP). The organization highlighted a concerning gap in Dominican democratic discourse: it has been 26 years since political parties participated in a public, open debate, with the last such event held in January 2000 between then-Prime Minister Eddison James and opposition leaders Roosevelt Douglas and Charles Savarin. The DBF says full details of the proposed debate will be released in a follow-up statement in the coming weeks.

    As the only private sector organization actively engaged in cross-stakeholder electoral reform discussions in Dominica, the non-partisan DBF closed by urging all eligible voters – both existing electors and eligible new voters – to complete the confirmation or registration process as soon as possible. In a country with what the organization describes as a fragile democracy, active participation remains the most important tool for citizens to uphold democratic accountability, the DBF added.

  • $20,000 Bereavement Award Should Be Indexed to Inflation, Opposition Senator Says

    $20,000 Bereavement Award Should Be Indexed to Inflation, Opposition Senator Says

    As debate over the 2026 Fatal Accidents Bill unfolds in the national Senate, opposition Senator Malaka Parker is calling on ruling lawmakers to build long-term flexibility into the proposed legislation by ensuring fixed bereavement compensation awards retain their real value over time.

    Parker has made clear that she broadly backs the new legislation and does not challenge the $20,000 maximum payout proposed in the draft bill. Her core concern centers on the current plan to lock this fixed amount permanently into law, with no built-in mechanism for future adjustment to match changing economic conditions.

    “I have no difficulty with that,” Parker stated publicly during the Senate debate, referring to the $20,000 cap. She went on to warn that if policymakers leave the figure unchanged, inflation will gradually eat away at its purchasing power, leaving grieving families with inadequate support decades from now.

    To address this risk, Parker has put forward two potential solutions. First, she argues that Parliament should index the maximum bereavement award directly to inflation, allowing the amount to automatically adjust in line with shifts in the cost of living. This approach, she notes, would eliminate the need for future governments to go through the full legislative process just to update the compensation amount. If automatic indexing is not adopted, Parker proposes granting the Cabinet authority to revise the maximum award on a regular basis through affirmative regulations, a process that would still require formal parliamentary approval to maintain democratic accountability.

    Parker points out that even with the current proposed cap, the bill already marks progress from earlier iterations that considered even lower payouts. Still, she stresses that without an adjustment mechanism, the $20,000 award will shrink to a fraction of its current value within a generation. She predicts that without the change she is calling for, Parliament will be forced to revisit the same debate 30 years from now to correct the eroding value of the award.

    The opposition senator also acknowledged that the bereavement payment is just one component of the broader compensation framework laid out in the bill, noting that families affected by fatal accidents will still be able to pursue additional damages through other provisions of the legislation. Despite her concerns about the fixed payout, Parker reaffirmed her support for updating the country’s outdated fatal accidents legislation, framing the full repeal of the old law as a welcome step. She closed by urging all lawmakers to strengthen the reforms to ensure they serve the needs of affected families for decades to come.

  • Former CSA general secretary pens open letter calling for Speaker Joseph Isaac to remain above political fray

    Former CSA general secretary pens open letter calling for Speaker Joseph Isaac to remain above political fray

    A longstanding democratic norm of parliamentary neutrality in Dominica has been thrown into question after the Speaker of the House of Assembly participated in a ruling party campaign event, drawing a public call for accountability from a prominent former civic leader.

    Alvin A. Thomas, a concerned citizen and former general secretary of the island nation’s Civil Service Association, laid out his critique in a widely circulated open letter published June 28, 2026. The controversy stems from Speaker Joseph Isaac’s appearance that same day at a campaign rally for the Dominica Labour Party, where he formally introduced Ashma McDougall, the party’s candidate in the upcoming Roseau North constituency by-election.

    In his letter, Thomas acknowledges that Isaac holds the same constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association as any other Dominican citizen. But he argues that the non-partisan expectation attached to the Speaker’s office creates a higher standard of conduct that the Speaker failed to meet in this instance. As the presiding officer of Dominica’s national parliament, the Speaker is entrusted with upholding the integrity of legislative proceedings, guaranteeing fair treatment for all lawmakers regardless of party affiliation, and safeguarding public trust in one of the country’s core democratic institutions.

    This expectation of political neutrality is not a unique rule for Dominica, Thomas notes. It is a longstanding convention across all Westminster-style parliamentary democracies, where the perception of impartiality is considered just as critical as actual neutrality to maintaining public confidence in democratic governance. Thomas emphasizes that the issue at hand is not whether Isaac’s actions were illegal, but whether they were appropriate for a person holding a constitutional office that requires detachment from partisan campaigning.

    Labeling Isaac’s decision to participate in the rally as a “lapse in judgement,” Thomas calls on the Speaker to issue a formal explanation and a public apology to the Dominican people and parliament. He stresses that protecting the institutional integrity of parliament and preserving public trust in democratic governance must always take priority over engaging in partisan political activity. Even though the Speaker holds legal rights to political participation, Thomas argues those rights must be balanced against the overriding responsibility of the office to remain above party politics to avoid even the perception of bias.

    Thomas concludes by noting that the stability and legitimacy of Dominica’s democratic system depend on all holders of high constitutional office adhering to strict standards of conduct. The parliament, he insists, is an institution that transcends individual political parties, individual officeholders and individual electoral contests, and its integrity must be protected as a matter of priority for all who serve within it.

  • Dominican Republic strengthens climate goals with NDC 3.0

    Dominican Republic strengthens climate goals with NDC 3.0

    In an important step forward for global climate action, the Dominican Republic has launched its updated Nationally Determined Contribution, dubbed NDC 3.0 RD-2025, boosting the country’s climate ambition while centering adaptation to counter its high vulnerability to climate shifts.

    The new climate strategy was formally presented during the nation’s First Climate Finance Week, an event designed to catalyze support for climate investment and action across the country. Compared to the business-as-usual emissions trajectory that would occur without targeted intervention, the updated plan sets far more ambitious reduction targets: a 27% cut to greenhouse gas output by 2030, followed by a 32% reduction by 2035.

    Beyond emissions cuts, the framework prioritizes building resilience across seven high-priority sectors that are critical to the Dominican Republic’s population and economy. In total, it outlines 41 distinct adaptation measures tied to 155 measurable targets, covering water resource management, agricultural production, public health, the nation’s core tourism industry, coastal and marine ecosystem protection, biodiversity conservation, and forest management.

    Government officials estimate that full implementation of this comprehensive strategy will require more than $23.7 billion in total investment. To meet this funding need, the nation is pursuing a multi-source financing model that draws on domestic public resources, international climate cooperation, private sector investment, and global climate finance mechanisms.

    Dominican authorities emphasized that the revised plan reaffirms the country’s unwavering commitment to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Crucially, it also integrates climate action into the nation’s core national development strategy, public investment planning, and long-term efforts to boost economic competitiveness, aligning sustainability and growth goals for the coming decades.

  • Dominican Republic and Belgium sign customs cooperation agreement

    Dominican Republic and Belgium sign customs cooperation agreement

    BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – In a significant step to bolster cross-border security and streamline legitimate global commerce, the Dominican Republic and Belgium have formalized a new bilateral customs cooperation agreement. The memorandum of understanding, signed by top customs leaders from both nations, expands ongoing collaborative efforts to crack down on illegal activities linked to international trade, from customs fraud to transnational organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.

    Nelson Arroyo, Director General of Dominican Customs, and Kristian Vanderwaeren, Administrator of Belgian Customs, put pen to paper on the agreement during a formal ceremony in the Belgian capital. The new framework creates structured pathways for deeper collaboration between the two nations’ customs agencies, including regular exchanges of official information and intelligence, shared risk analysis methodologies, and mutual learning around industry best practices. It also paves the way for coordinated joint enforcement operations, early warning systems to flag high-risk shipments, and closer alignment on priorities within the World Customs Organization, the global body that sets standards for international customs practice.

    This latest agreement marks the third bilateral security pact reached by the two countries in 2024. It follows earlier accords between their national police forces and maritime security agencies that have already laid the groundwork for stronger cross-border security coordination. Beyond enforcement, the memorandum also deepens partnership between two key regional ports: the Dominican Republic’s Multimodal Caucedo Port and Belgium’s Port of Antwerp, one of the busiest container hubs in Europe. By aligning their customs enforcement efforts, both countries aim to strengthen the resilience of global supply chains, reduce security risks in the Caribbean and European regions, and speed up the movement of legal, legitimate trade between their economies and beyond.

  • Somos Pueblo files constitutional challenge against new Penal Code

    Somos Pueblo files constitutional challenge against new Penal Code

    In Santo Domingo, a prominent Dominican digital media platform, Somos Pueblo Media, has launched a formal legal challenge against key provisions of the nation’s newly enacted Penal Code. The outlet, which is led by founders Ricardo Augusto Ripoll García and Eduardo Daniel Sánchez Tolentino, has filed a direct unconstitutionality action with the country’s Constitutional Court targeting Organic Law No. 74-25.

    The core of the legal appeal centers on six specific articles of the new penal legislation: Articles 192, 208, 209, 210, 210 and 310. Legal representatives for the outlet argue that these sections run counter to foundational constitutional principles enshrined in the country’s governing charter, and that they unlawfully restrict core civil liberties. The most significant concerns raised center on two critical rights for independent media: the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, and the public’s right to access government-held information.

    The challenge has been brought before the high court with the backing of experienced legal counsel, attorneys Pedro Virginio Balbuena and Francisco Alejandro Aristy. The pair are formally representing Somos Pueblo Media and its leadership throughout the constitutional review process, as the outlet pushes for the contested provisions to be struck from the new penal code. The outcome of this case is widely expected to set a key precedent for press freedom and civil liberties in the Dominican Republic moving forward.

  • New Senators Urged to Put National Interest Above Partisan Politics

    New Senators Urged to Put National Interest Above Partisan Politics

    In a formal address to the Upper House of Antigua and Barbuda on Monday, Senate President Alincia Williams-Grant presented an open letter from Jessica Zouetr, the immediate former president of the country’s National Youth Parliament Association, that carried a clear, principled message for two newly appointed senators with youth parliament roots.

    The letter extended warm, targeted congratulations to Senators Jonathan Wehner and Shaquan O’Neal, both graduates of the National Youth Parliament program, framing their ascension to the Senate as a landmark achievement not just for the organization itself, but for all young people across the twin-island nation.

    “Your appointments are a source of immense pride, not only for your families and communities, but also for the countless young people who now see that dedication, preparation and service can lead to the highest institutions of our nation,” Williams-Grant read aloud to the chamber during the opening of the sitting.

    Zouetr, who once served as the presiding officer of the youth parliament, noted that Wehner and O’Neal’s appointments mark the latest milestone for the organization. Back in 2022, the association celebrated its first Senate appointment when alumnus Keleir Gardner took a seat in the Upper House. This latest pair of appointments, Zouetr argued, is tangible proof that the youth parliament consistently fulfills its core mission: equipping young people with the skills and experience to step into national leadership and public service roles.

    Drawing from her own experience leading the youth body, Zouetr shared that she had overseen parliamentary sittings in which both Wehner and O’Neal participated, making their new appointments a full-circle, full-heartening moment for everyone involved with the program.

    “As you take your seats in these hallowed halls, remember the principles that guided your training,” the letter read.

    While Zouetr acknowledged that both new senators hold formal affiliations with political parties, she emphasized that their primary duty within the Senate extends beyond partisan loyalty. Their core responsibility as legislators, she argued, requires rigorous scrutiny of proposed legislation, thoughtful and constructive debate, and unwavering commitment to serving all residents of Antigua and Barbuda.

    “Your foremost allegiance here must be to the Constitution and to the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” she wrote. “Let every contribution you make and every vote you cast be guided by the principles of fairness, sound judgment and the national interest rather than partisan considerations.”

    After reading the letter in full, Williams-Grant explained that she chose to present the entire correspondence to replace her own planned opening remarks, because the message aligned perfectly with the core reminder she wanted to deliver to the entire Senate at the start of the sitting.

    “I think it was fitting for it to replace what I would have said this morning,” she said, adding that Zouetr’s message serves as an important reminder for every sitting senator that their role exists to serve the people of Antigua and Barbuda, and that the public rightfully expects their full commitment and best work in the chamber.

  • PM Drew, Chairman St Juste reviews progress of Prime Creative Arts Centre – WIC News

    PM Drew, Chairman St Juste reviews progress of Prime Creative Arts Centre – WIC News

    In a key milestone check for a transformative public infrastructure project in St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew joined Calvin St. Juste, Executive Chairman of the national Citizenship Unit, for an official site walkthrough of the under-construction Prime Creative Arts Centre this week.

    Funded through the federation’s Citizenship by Investment Public Benefit Option — a strategic program that channels international investment into community-focused public works — the arts center broke ground in January 2026, and leadership has now marked steady progress across the build six months in. Designed to become the nation’s flagship modern cultural hub, the complex will bring long-awaited dedicated resources to St. Kitts and Nevis’ growing creative community. When finished, the facility will house multiple state-of-the-art spaces, including indoor and outdoor performance venues, professional-grade music recording and production studios, specialized craft workshops for local artisans, and flexible classrooms and co-working areas for creators at all career stages.

    Beyond providing infrastructure, the project is structured to deliver economic benefits at every stage of development. Project leaders confirmed that the construction process prioritizes hiring local builders, contractors, and skilled tradespeople, generating immediate employment opportunities and injecting direct stimulus into the local economy while helping domestic industry experts build specialized, long-term skills. St. Juste emphasized during the tour that the tangible progress rising from the ground reflects the government’s core commitment to directing investment toward projects that deliver tangible, direct benefits to all citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.

    When complete, the center will empower local artists to refine their craft, turn their creative talents into sustainable, full-time careers, and contribute to expanding the federation’s creative economy — a key driver of growth that also supports the nation’s thriving tourism sector by enhancing its cultural appeal.

    The full three-year construction timeline is on track, with a grand opening currently scheduled for 2029. Once open, officials expect the Prime Creative Arts Centre to stand as a lasting landmark of national growth, a celebration of local Caribbean heritage, and a community resource that will serve generations of creators and visitors alike.

  • Zheng (PL) wil belastingvrije som fors verhogen en pleit voor vrijhandelszones

    Zheng (PL) wil belastingvrije som fors verhogen en pleit voor vrijhandelszones

    As Suriname’s national assembly continues debate over the country’s upcoming national budget, a ruling Progressive People’s Party (PL) legislator Xiaobao Zheng has put forward a sweeping set of economic policy proposals designed to shore up household purchasing power eroded by inflation and position the South American nation as a competitive regional trade and investment hub.

    At the core of Zheng’s domestic policy recommendations is a dramatic increase in the monthly tax-free income threshold, a change he says will put more disposable income directly into workers’ pockets to counter years of rising prices. Currently set at just 9,000 Surinamese dollars (SRD) per month, Zheng is calling for the threshold to be raised to a minimum of 30,000 SRD, with a further increase to 50,000 SRD on the table if government fiscal conditions allow for the expansion.

    Zheng’s calculations show that a jump to 30,000 SRD would leave the average worker with an extra 1,890 SRD in disposable income each month. This additional spending power would not only ease immediate financial pressures on working households, he argues, but would also stimulate broader domestic economic activity by increasing consumer demand for local goods and services.

    The legislator emphasized that Suriname’s current tax framework is misaligned with the country’s long-term growth goals. In his view, the government has become overly reliant on taxing labor and imports, a structure that discourages job creation and deters foreign capital. Instead, Zheng says fiscal policy should shift to incentivize private investment and entrepreneurship, laying the groundwork for more diversified and sustainable economic expansion.

    To advance that goal, Zheng is also pushing for the creation of dedicated free trade zones and free ports across Suriname, drawing on lessons from global success stories. He notes that jurisdictions such as Singapore, Hong Kong (China), and the United Arab Emirates have used these specialized economic zones to attract billions in foreign direct investment, strengthen domestic logistics networks, and generate thousands of new local jobs.

    With the rapid development of Suriname’s emerging oil and gas sector on the horizon, Zheng argues the country has a unique opportunity to reinvent itself as a regional trade and logistics hub. Reaching that potential, however, requires major policy shifts: upgraded modern infrastructure, a more welcoming investment climate, and the gradual reduction of existing import barriers. He advocates for a phased reduction of import duties, noting that as Suriname diversifies its economy and develops new streams of economic activity, the government will be able to reduce its dependence on import revenue over time.

    Zheng stressed that the coming years will be a defining period for Suriname’s economic future. He urged policymakers to leverage the economic opportunities presented by the growing oil and gas industry to drive sustainable development across other sectors of the economy, ultimately lifting overall prosperity for all Surinamese citizens.

    Budget debate is scheduled to continue on the same day of Zheng’s proposal, with the sitting government set to deliver its response in the second round of parliamentary discussion.

  • PM Browne Says Antigua Has “Enough” LGBTQ People Amid U.S. Talks

    PM Browne Says Antigua Has “Enough” LGBTQ People Amid U.S. Talks

    Amid ongoing regional negotiations with the United States over immigration resettlement, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has laid out Antigua and Barbuda’s non-negotiable conditions for accepting third-country nationals that Washington cannot repatriate to their home countries, drawing a firm line on additional LGBTQ asylum seekers and tying the policy to the small island nation’s limited domestic resources.

    In an appearance on the *Browne and Browne Show* this past Saturday, Browne referenced a recent case in neighboring St. Kitts and Nevis, where three third-country nationals were resettled under the US-led framework. According to information Browne received, two of those three individuals identify as LGBTQ. “I’m told the three that were sent to St. Kitts, two of them are LGBTQIAs,” Browne said, adding, “We have enough of those here.”

    The prime minister was quick to frame the government’s position as rooted in practical concerns rather than discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, pointing to three core priorities: national security, public health, and the country’s strained public finances. “We do not want people who are criminals. We don’t want people who are sick. We do not want anyone who is going to become a charge [on the state],” he explained.

    Under the terms Antigua and Barbuda has put forward during negotiations, any individual accepted under the resettlement arrangement must pass rigorous, comprehensive security and medical screenings before they are allowed to enter the country. Additionally, the government has demanded that all resettled individuals hold valid, official travel documents from their countries of origin, rejecting the proposal that they enter with temporary documentation issued by US authorities.

    Browne confirmed that Antigua and Barbuda has left the door open to a limited annual intake, offering to consider accepting up to 10 third-country nationals per year. This offer, however, remains contingent on all applicants meeting the strict vetting requirements: no serious criminal record, no threat to national security, no public health risks, and full compliance with the government’s entry criteria.

    The prime minister emphasized that the island nation’s small geographic size and constrained public infrastructure make absorbing large numbers of resettled people unfeasible. He noted that once temporary US-funded support for resettled individuals expires, any long-term social assistance would fall to Antigua and Barbuda’s government, a burden the country cannot sustain at higher intake levels.

    Going forward, Browne confirmed that negotiating teams will continue talks with US officials, but the country will not compromise on its sovereign right to control who enters and establishes residence within its borders. The current talks between Antigua and Barbuda and the US are part of a broader diplomatic push by Washington, which has been negotiating with multiple Caribbean governments to resettle third-country nationals that cannot be sent back to their countries of origin as a key component of Washington’s wider immigration enforcement strategy.