At a public discussion hosted by the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), Dominican attorney Cara Shillingford raised serious concerns about the restrictive bail conditions imposed on individuals arrested during recent protests over controversial electoral reform legislation. Shillingford, a respected advocate for civil rights, warned that the court-imposed conditions threaten fundamental freedoms protected by the Constitution.
Among her key objections were conditions barring the accused from engaging in any media discussions related to their cases. “To impose such draconian, undemocratic, unconstitutional bail conditions on individuals for potentially extended periods is flabbergasting,” Shillingford stated during the forum. “This should alarm every Dominican who values liberty and democracy.”
The individuals arrested—many of them former parliamentarians and vocal advocates for electoral reform—were charged under the Public Order Act with unlawful assembly, an offense that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. The charges stem from their participation in a protest held outside the Parliament building during the debate and passage of new electoral reform bills.
Shillingford argued that the bail restrictions go beyond typical legal boundaries and dangerously encroach upon constitutionally protected rights. She emphasized that Dominica’s justice system is already burdened by delays, which means the gag orders could prevent those charged from speaking out for months or even years.
When individuals are barred from participating in public discourse for what could be a lengthy duration, it raises fundamental questions about the right to freedom of expression. This is not just a matter of legal procedure—it’s a matter of democratic integrity.
Dominica Attorney at Law, Cara Shillingford
Shillingford also noted that both local law and international human rights treaties—of which Dominica is a signatory—protect the rights to free speech, assembly, and political participation. “Preventing individuals from attending public gatherings stifles political discourse and undermines the very fabric of our democracy,” she added.
Shillingford further stressed that those affected are not ordinary citizens alone but include respected public figures such as former MPs Hector John, Danny Lugay, and Johnson Boston—who is also the chairman of the ERC. She warned that silencing political leaders from engaging with constituents during a pivotal moment in national discourse weakens public accountability.
This is not just a local issue. It speaks to the wider implications for human rights and democratic practices across the region. Every Dominican should be concerned about these developments, as they threaten the essence of our democracy.
Dominica Attorney at Law, Cara Shillingford
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