Withdraw that comment Nelson

The Editor,
Sir:

I WISH to support the sentiments expressed by my learned colleague Bert Samuels in his Letter of the Day on February 16 and headlined, 'Minister's 'reckless' statement'.

An independent judiciary is one of the greatest safeguards of the true principle of constitutionalism. Judicial officers are empowered by law to execute their duties professionally and legally without fear or favour so actions of the executive which are inconsistent with the Constitution must be avoided; and minister Dwight Nelson should withdraw his reckless statement immediately.

The right to bail is well stipulated in Article 9 (3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. I readily admit that our judicial system needs to be reformed to make it more efficient and useful for the administration of justice but not to tamper with the right to bail, which is a violation of the Constitution and international law.

I am, etc.,

Frederick Hamaty

fhamaty@cwjamaica.com