标签： Dominica

For the seventeenth consecutive year, the African Union (AU) has delivered a powerful diplomatic rebuke to the United States by formally condemning its protracted economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba. The recently approved resolution, detailed in an official release from the Cuban Embassy in Ethiopia, characterizes the six-decade-long policy as a severe impediment to Cuban development and a profound burden on its citizenry.

A central and recurring demand within the resolution is the urgent call for Washington to remove Cuba from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list. The AU describes this designation as both arbitrary and unjustified, framing it as a political instrument that provides a foundation for maintaining the stringent embargo. The document further emphasizes the moral and legal obligation to revoke this classification.

The resolution articulates deep concern regarding the intensifying negative impacts of the U.S. sanctions, which have been exacerbated by global economic pressures following the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant point of condemnation is the extraterritorial application of U.S. law, specifically through Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. This provision, which allows U.S. nationals to sue entities engaging in business with Cuban assets nationalized after the 1959 revolution, effectively internationalizes the blockade and cripples Cuba’s capacity to participate in global trade and finance.

Beyond the critique, the resolution serves to reaffirm the deep-seated historical and political bonds between African nations and Cuba, rooted in decades of solidarity and mutual support. It stands as a clear manifestation of Africa’s collective stance against a policy it deems to be in violation of international law and the fundamental principles of national sovereignty.

The Dominica Bar Association has released a comprehensive statement emphasizing the fundamental importance of voter registration verification and its proper administration by authorities to protect the democratic rights of all citizens. The legal body has received numerous expressions of concern regarding electoral processes through both written and verbal communications.

In an unprecedented appeal transcending political affiliations, the Association urgently calls upon every registered voter to verify their registration status to ensure participation in forthcoming electoral events, whether local or national. This represents an inclusive initiative directed at all Dominican citizens regardless of political orientation or background.

The constitutional significance of voting rights receives particular emphasis, with reference to paragraph (c) of Dominica’s Constitution Preamble which asserts the people’s belief in a democratic society where all persons may participate in national institutions according to their capacity, thereby fostering respect for lawfully constituted authority.

While acknowledging ongoing legal challenges to recently amended electoral legislation and concerns about the current framework, the Association stresses the necessity for eligible voters to comply with existing regulations until any formal modifications occur. This approach is presented as the most effective method to safeguard both individual voting rights and the nation’s democratic principles.

Addressing specific concerns about identification requirements for registration confirmation, the Bar Association proposes that the Electoral Commission conduct a thorough, data-informed analysis to evaluate how ID mandates affect voter participation rates. Such statistical examination would determine whether adjustments to identification requirements are necessary to balance electoral list integrity against potential voter disenfranchisement.

Given current legal stipulations requiring identification, the Association questions what measures the government is implementing to assist citizens lacking proper documentation or financial means to obtain it. The legal body recommends implementing non-partisan initiatives, such as temporarily suspending new passport application fees to facilitate passport acquisition as valid identification.

To enhance the confirmation process, the Association advocates for intensified public awareness campaigns by the Electoral Office and political parties, suggesting election-level promotion efforts. Additionally, the proposal includes employers—both public and private sectors—facilitating the process through designated ‘confirmation days’ where employees receive paid time off to verify registrations, provided they submit proof of completion.

Regarding new voter registrations, the Association notes that the Electoral Office’s temporary suspension caused significant uncertainty and disappointment across political and private sectors. With the announcement that registration will resume by March 10, 2026, the legal body anticipates this will rectify what may have constituted a breach of statutory continuous registration duties, encouraging all unregistered eligible citizens to enroll promptly.

The statement concludes with a strong recommendation against calling elections before completing the confirmation period, warning that premature electoral proceedings could disenfranchise voters and compromise result legitimacy at national and international levels. The Association clarifies it possesses no knowledge of imminent election plans but addresses a legally permissible scenario that could undermine electoral integrity.

Finally, the Dominica Bar Association commits to collaborating with all stakeholders—voters, state institutions, the Electoral Commission, and private sector entities—to protect the democratic rights of every citizen through enhanced confirmation processes and inclusive electoral measures.

In a landmark development for interregional cooperation, the inaugural Plenary Session of the Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly concluded in Antigua and Barbuda on February 18, marking the official parliamentary activation of the Samoa Agreement. Co-President Malik Azmani characterized the gathering as historically significant for strengthening ties between the regions.

The three-day assembly, conducted against a backdrop of complex global challenges including geopolitical tensions and pressures on international rule-based systems, demonstrated strong political commitment to enhanced dialogue and collaboration. Participants from both regions, bound by historical connections and shared values of democracy and multilateralism, engaged in substantive discussions across five strategic priority areas.

Key deliberations focused on climate resilience and clean energy transition, with consensus emerging for a Caribbean-EU Climate Resilience and Renewable Energy Compact under the Global Gateway initiative. Parliamentarians also addressed trade and investment opportunities, combating transnational organized crime, safeguarding territorial integrity, and the critical situation in Haiti. The assembly expressed profound concern about Haiti’s deteriorating conditions while reaffirming support for Haitian-led political solutions.

Notably, the assembly incorporated dynamic Youth and Women’s Forums that enriched the proceedings. The Youth Forum emphasized developing green skills among young people and their essential role in climate resilience, while the Women’s Forum highlighted economic empowerment through improved financial access and women’s crucial participation in shaping future Caribbean-EU relations.

The session produced concrete recommendations directed to the Caribbean-EU Council of Ministers, establishing a roadmap for future joint initiatives. Co-President Azmani confirmed the European Parliament delegation’s strengthened conviction that sustained engagement and enhanced political dialogue are imperative for advancing shared prosperity and defending a rules-based international order.