He said it allows the people to have confidence in the systems which are established by the constitution and maintained by adherence to laws which are enacted for the harmonious co-existence of all persons without regard for colour, creed or political affiliation.
Amory was at the time reacting to two critical court decisions that were handed down in Charlestown on Monday morning. The first saw the OECS Appeals Court upholding his appeal against the composition of a Commission of Inquiry that was being established by the ruling Nevis Reformation Party, NRP, to examine certain decisions made by Amory’s Concerned Citizens Movement, CCM Administration from 1992-2006.
The other case, which is of even greater significance, had to do with an appeal that was made by the NRP against a decision earlier this year, to declare the seat of Deputy Premier, Hensley Daniel vacant, following certain irregularities experienced during the 2011 island elections.
Amory said, “The decision handed down today by the Appeal Court of the OECS in the matter of the Election Petition, Mark Brantley v Hensley Daniel et al, must speak to all of us to guard with seriousness the fundamental human rights and freedoms which were won for all of us by the sweat blood and tears of our fore parents and should also give us cause to cherish those principles on which our country was founded.”
He continued, “While the decision handed down today, to strike down the Appeal and to uphold the decision of Justice Lionel Jones, is vindication of the action to challenge the results of the July 2011 election in the Nevis 2 constituency brought by the Honourable Mark Brantley and the CCM party, we must reflect on the circumstances which have led to this moment and resolve to begin the process of reconciliation and healing and building a more harmonious society based on the respect for law and order, honesty, integrity and a mutual regard for our differences of opinion, to build our country for the future for all to enjoy without fear or favour.”
It is the view of the CCM leader and his party that the decision of the Court today must signal a new beginning, not only for the people of Nevis and the Federation but for the entire Caribbean and the world at large, wherever the rule of law and the democratic system is established and practiced.
The former premier indicated that there are lessons to be learned by all of us and called on all Citizens, especially the Leaders in the country, to accept and respect the decision of the Court, and to do all in their power individually and collectively, in accordance with the law to return the country to a state in which we can feel free to exercise our fundamental rights and freedoms and build a more harmonious society for the future prosperity for all.
The CCM’s leader called on God’s guidance and wisdom, as they seek to reconcile and work together as one people, even if they have different points of view, for the good of all.