Freedom in the World 1999 - Dominica

1999 Scores

Status: Free
Freedom Rating: 1.0
Civil Liberties: 1
Political Rights: 1

Overview

In his last year of a five-year term in office, Prime Minister Edison James, leader of the United Workers' Party (UWP), pledged to move forward with progress made towards transforming Dominica from an agricultural-based, banana-reliant economy to an international financial center and eco-tourism destination. His government expressed satisfaction with an economic growth rate which in 1998 was estimated to be 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). However, in November 1999, Hurricane Lenny caused an estimated $75 million in damages, mostly to roads, houses, fisheries, and agriculture.

Dominica has been an independent republic within the Commonwealth since 1978. Internally self-governing since 1967, Dominica is a parliamentary democracy headed by a prime minister and a house of assembly with 21 members elected to five year terms. Nine senators are appointed – five by the prime minister and four by the opposition leader. The president is elected by the house for a five-year term.

In 1993 Prime Minister Eugenia Charles of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) announced her intention to retire in 1995 after 15 years in power. External Affairs Minister Brian Alleyne defeated three other candidates in a vote of DFP delegates to become the new party leader.

In June 1995, the UWP won a narrow majority, 11 of 21 seats, in parliamentary elections. James, former head of the Banana Grower's Association, became prime minister. The UWP victory marked a significant power shift from the traditional establishment to a new and younger business class.

The DFP and the Dominica Labor Party (DLP) won five seats each. The DFP's Alleyne and the DLP's Douglas reached an agreement to share the official opposition post by alternating each year. Alleyne assumed the post first. A high court, however, ruled that one of the winning DFP candidates was not qualified to sit in parliament since he still held a public service position. The ruling reduced the DFP's representation in parliament to four seats. Special elections, held in 1996, resulted in an additional seat for the UWP, raising its share to 12 of 21 seats. Douglas became the opposition leader. In early 1996 Alleyne resigned as head of the DFP and was replaced by former diplomat Charles Savarin.

Dominica's offshore business sector includes some 4,600 international companies, five offshore banks and five internet gaming companies. Offshore banking interests, in particular, have raised concerns about penetration by international organized crime, particularly Russian organizations. Dominica boasts of an "absence of tax treaties or exchange agreements with any other country." U.S. officials say that by offering strict bank secrecy and by selling Dominican citizenship with the right to have a new name placed on a new passport, Dominica is providing international criminals with "one-stop shopping" haven. In March 1999, the U.S. State Department noted the rapid expansion of offshore businesses and expressed concern that "between 200 and 300 Russians have reportedly purchased citizenship."

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Citizens are able to change their government through free and fair elections. There are no restrictions on political, civic, or labor organizations. Several civic groups have emerged in recent years calling for more accountability and transparency in government.

There is an independent judiciary, and the rule of law is enhanced by the court's subordination to the inter-island Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. But the judicial system is understaffed, which has led to a large backlog of cases. The only prison on Dominica is marked by overcrowding and sanitation problems.

The Dominican Defense Force was disbanded in 1981 after being implicated in attempts by supporters of former prime minister Patrick John to overthrow the government. John was convicted in 1986 for his involvement and given a 12-year prison sentence. He was released by executive order in 1990, became active in the trade union movement, and lost as a DLP candidate in the 1995 election. The Dominica police, which in 1997 was the object of a commission of inquiry into corruption, were the only security force. Occasional instances of excessive use of force by police are one of the few human rights complaints heard.

The press is free, varied, and critical. Television and radio, both public and private, are open to a variety of views. Since 1990 television has been used as an effective campaign tool by all parties. The government respects academic freedom and labor rights.

Freedom of religion is recognized. However, the small Rastafarian community has charged that its religious rights are violated by a policy of cutting off the "dreadlocks" of those who are imprisoned and that Rastafarian women are harassed by immigration officials who single them out for drug searches.

Since 1990, the 3,000 indigenous Carib Indians, many of who live on a 3,700-acre reserve on the northeast coast, have been represented in the house of assembly by an elected Carib parliamentarian. In 1994 Hilary Frederick was elected chief of the Carib people for a five-year term, defeating Irvince Auguiste, the incumbent. A policeman was charged with the murder of a young man during the ensuing celebration.

Inheritance laws do not fully recognize women's rights. When a husband dies without a will, the wife cannot inherit the property, though she may continue to inhabit the home. There are no laws mandating equal pay for equal work for private sector workers. In the June 1995 elections, two women won parliamentary seats. Government welfare officials have expressed concern over the growing number of cases of child abuse.

Workers have the right to organize, strike, and bargain collectively. Though unions are independent of the government and laws prohibit anti-union discrimination by employers, less than 10 percent of the workforce are union members.