Tommy Lee’s deportation sparks US$3 million lawsuit against Dominican Gov’t

Tommy Lee’s deportation sparks US$3 million lawsuit against Dominican Gov’t

A US$3 million lawsuit has been filed against the Government of Dominica over the cancellation of a concert due to what has been described in court documents as the “unlawful arrest, detention and deportation” of Jamaican deejay Tommy Lee.

The lawsuit was filed by Cabral Douglas, the son of former Dominica Prime Minister Rosie Douglas, in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on August 24.

“I am pleased to announce that formal legal proceedings have been commenced at the Trinidad based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) against the Government of Dominica on my behalf. Article 222 of the Revised Treaty requires natural persons and corporations seeking the original jurisdiction of the court to seek special leave to be heard,” Douglas, a lawyer by profession, said in a press release.

“So after a long winded and unsuccessful negotiation process, I look forward to the opportunity to prove my case in Trinidad,” he said.

Tommy Lee and three members of his entourage were reportedly denied entry, detained and deported following their arrival at Douglas/Charles airport in Dominica in February 2014 for a concert financed by Douglas. The development led to the cancellation of the stage show, according to court documents.

Douglas, who claims that he is of both Jamaican and Dominican parentage, has urged Prime Minister Andrew Holness to lead in the fight for human rights of all Jamaican citizens.

“I would like to use this occasion to call on Prime Minister Holness and the Labour Party government he leads in Jamaica to join these proceedings which will send a clear message that the blatant discrimination being practiced by immigration officials throughout the Caribbean community against Jamaican citizens will no longer be tolerated.” Douglas said, adding “Jamaican lives matter…”.

Holness earlier this year launched a Caricom Review Commission – chaired by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding – amid increasing disputes over the treatment of Jamaicans in other Caricom countries, particularly Trinidad & Tobago.