Malahoo Forte Announces Constitutional Reform Committee to Steer Jamaica to Republic Status

A Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) is to be set up to shepherd Jamaica's shift from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, with membership drawn from Government, the Parliamentary Opposition, subject-matter experts, and broader civil society.

The plan was disclosed by Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, during her 2022/23 Sectoral Debate contribution in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 7.

"I have set out the work to be done by the Committee in very broad terms, specifying, among other things, that it will involve at this stage, the conduct of a thorough and comprehensive review of the 1962 Constitution. This includes the 2011 Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedom, as well as recommendations for reform made through the various constitutional reform commissions and committees in the past, ultimately, to implement an ambitious reform agenda, settled by consensus," Mrs. Malahoo Forte said.

The Minister disclosed that she has formally written to Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding, asking him to nominate two Opposition members to sit on the Committee, which is currently being assembled.

According to the Minister, Mr. Golding holds the view that the broad parameters for republican status have already been settled between the two main political parties, drawing on a quarter-century of constitutional consultations and supporting legislative research.

"It is true that much work has been done. But it is also true that important substantive issues are yet to be settled, and these are the more difficult issues because not only Government and Parliamentary Opposition must be on same page, but the people. I think collectively, as a nation, we need consensus on the direction we want to go in. It doesn't now exist," the Minister contended.

A referendum will be needed to amend the relevant constitutional provisions, and Mrs. Malahoo Forte indicated her hope that the vote can be staged before the next general election.

The Minister explained that the reform exercise will require a full and detailed examination of the 1962 Constitution, since the country must decide which elements of the present governance structure to retain and which to alter.

"In the same way that, for very practical purposes, all that existed prior to Independence could not be got rid of, we cannot now get rid of all that we have. The same dilemma that we faced between the desire for change and the necessity for continuity, is being faced now. We must not lose sight of the fact that Jamaica boasts a high degree of stability in its democracy, which should never be taken for granted," she pointed out.

Mrs. Malahoo Forte acknowledged that several stages remain before any new Constitution can be laid in Parliament, pledging to provide updates once the Committee is fully formed and as the process advances.

She added that she intends to work diligently in leading the reform effort, with the goal of bringing a concrete proposal before Parliament.