Part 2

Antigua Small Islands Developing States (SIDS)4 Conference: Let's Raise Awareness About Environmental Degradation

By Kwame Nkosi Romeo

The Privy Council unequivocally acknowledged John Mussington and Jacklyn Frank's legitimate interests in filing an action against the ALP government's violation of the Development Control Authority (DCA) Act No. 6 of 2003; 

This act generally underscored the health, safety, and welfare of the people, maintenance and improvement of the quality of the environment, and the protection and conversation of cultural heritage specified in subsection:

(a): the efficient and equitable use and occupation of the earth's resources and their sustainable use, taking into account all economic and environmental factors

Regrettably, the ALP government, driven by political interests and financial kickbacks from multi-billion dollar corporate investors, has been directly responsible for significant environmental damage. 

This damage, combined with the immediate threat to food security, is a stark reminder of the urgency of our ecological challenges. 

The ALP government's support for projects driven by their political interests, such as the destruction of mangroves in the North East Management Area (NEMA) by YIDA and the perpetuation of the Western Imperial Special Economic Zone (WISEZ), has had devastating consequences. 

These actions threaten sustainable livelihoods and damage the fragile ecosystems of the 200-acre wetlands constituting the 549-acre SEZ.

The resulting loss of Biodiversity, increased vulnerability to natural disasters, and the displacement of local communities underscore the urgent need for action.

The ALP government's approval of WISEZ, similar to YIDA, goes against Sustainable Development Goal 14, a global commitment to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. 

This goal, part of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is crucial for the preservation of our planet's marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them: 

"Conserve and sustainably use the ocean, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development."

Upholding environmental stewardship and respecting the rights of local communities will not only lead to a more sustainable and inclusive approach to addressing environmental challenges and pave the way for a brighter future. 

People's activism can inspire change and create a more just and sustainable environment.

Ultimately, the well-being of Antigua and Barbuda and the preservation of its natural heritage should guide all decision-making processes. The citizenry must recognize the global impact of these decisions. 

Civil society groups, NGOs, legal professionals, and government officials' roles are crucial but integral in ensuring that the nation's environmental policies and actions serve the best interests of its citizens and the global community, not political or commercial interests. 

International support and accountability are essential in this endeavor.

The people are advocates and allies in this fight for environmental justice, and their actions can make a significant difference. 

Your support, whether it's by supporting the people of Barbuda or the ecological justice struggle of Mussington and Frank, is crucial in this fight!

It's concerning that New Zealand diplomat  E. Linda Te Puni allocated NZD 600,000 via UNEP to assist the ALP government with the SIDS4 conference in Antigua from May 27-30, 2024. 

This funding, intended to support sustainable development initiatives, is being misused to support the ALP's double-faced climate change agenda, which contradicts the environmental protection and justice principles advocated.

The ALP must be transparent and disclose the millions utilized for Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Land Degradation projects under the Global Environment Fund (GEF) allocation of US$23,163.917 million (m) of that amount Biodiversity US$9,000,000m, Climate Change US$7,000,000m, Land Degradation US$7,163,423m. 

Although Climate Change allocation was the lowest, the ALP government utilized US$15,980,000m or +123%, whereas Biodiversity was US$4,950,000m or -45%, and Land Degradation, US1,478,516 or -79.36%, remains at a disadvantage. 

https://www.thegef.org/projects-operations/country-profiles/antigua-and-barbuda

Has Te Puni or the New Zealand government been updated on the environmental struggle confronting the people of Barbuda? 

This struggle, marked by the destruction of mangroves, the perpetuation of the WISEZ, and the misuse of UNEP funding, is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action.

The New Zealand government should have given that benevolence of NZD 600,000 to the Barbuda People's Movement (BPM), not the ALP!

Mussington and Frank's legal victory in the UK Privy Council is a significant milestone in the fight for environmental justice. 

The council's recognition of their case, filed against the Antigua Labor Party (ALP) government and its supporters, the Peace, Love, and Happiness (PLH) group, underscores the legitimacy of their struggle. 

The council's ruling on the locus standi, confirming Mussington and Frank's sufficient interest in the matter, further strengthens their position and sets a precedent for future environmental cases.

This ruling thwarted the ALP's plan to operate the runway built on wetlands. This plan would have deprived the people of Barbuda of their land rights and livelihood while also endangering the environment in a lawless attempt to transfer those assets to the PLH group. It was deemed unacceptable.

The Convention on Wetlands engages in initiatives for migratory species at CMS COP14 to underscore the importance of conservation and protection. 

The convention acknowledges the importance of individuals who work with threatened species in the affected location and their right to stand in such matters.

In his book 'Public Interest Standing and Judicial Review of Environmental Matters: A Comparative Approach,' Jeffrey T. Hammond comprehensively analyzes the importance of public interest standing in environmental matters. 

This book, widely recognized in Commonwealth countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and transparent approach to environmental decision-making. 

The information cited from this book on page 520 is particularly relevant to people's advocacy for environmental protection and justice in Antigua and Barbuda.

Baron William John Kenneth Diplock of the Privy Council (PC) has agreed that there is a similarity between the concept of 'sufficient interest' and public interest standing. 

Diplock compared this in the 1981 case R v. Inland Revenue Commissioners, Ex parte National Federation of Self-Employed & Small Businesses Ltd (the 'IRC Case'). He stated that it would be a grave lacuna in our public law system if a pressure group like the Federation, or even a single-spirited taxpayer, were prevented by outdated technical rules of locus standi. 

This reasoning calls attention to Mussington and Frank's case, which is a significant step forward in recognizing public interest standing in environmental matters and strengthens the position of ecological advocates in future cases.

In like manner, Law Insider cites the 'Oceana case,' a landmark legal battle in which Citizens Organised for Liberty Action (COLA) sued the Belize government to highlight some critical points. COLA won the case by demonstrating sufficient interest and presenting compelling evidence during a judicial review.

This outcome is a clear example of how public interest standing can be used to hold governments accountable for their environmental policies and actions. 

The 'Oceana case' lesson is particularly relevant to people's advocacy for environmental protection and justice in Antigua and Barbuda. It underscores the power of individuals and communities to make a difference and protect their environment through legal means.

The recent victory of Barbuda against the ALP government is not just a legal triumph but a testament to the unwavering spirit and resilience of various civil society groups and NGOs, including COLA. 

Despite the daunting challenges, their fight for environmental justice is a beacon of hope, inspiring us to never give up in adversity.

As the AOSIS conference, a global platform for discussing and addressing the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), is underway, the people of Antigua and Barbuda have a unique opportunity. 

They can use this platform to expose the ALP's environmental agenda to the attendees and highlight the global significance of their ecological struggles. 

At this critical time, public relations intervention is vital to SAVE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ENVIRONMENT and garner the international support needed to address these environmental challenges.

By doing so, they can provide a comprehensive file to the New Zealand High Commissioner E. Linda Te Puni, one of many donor countries along with India funding the AOSIS Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Fourth conference, which will be held from May 27 to 30 in Antigua.

All people who love justice would support Barbuda's ongoing environmental struggle, which is crucial for life's sustainability!

Mussington and Frank emerged victorious, which serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination that can inspire the working class to resist a corrupt political and economic system that brings no relevance to their livelihoods, which is why coups are never-ending! 

It's the solution to put things right politically, economically, and socially! Democracy is Shamocracy!

The people of Antigua and Barbuda need significant constitutional changes to regain control of their destiny and address the nation's environmental and social issues. 

These changes should aim to root out corrupt family nepotism, land theft, endless concessions, and government procurements and bring justice to perpetrators.

The people's input should also amend the Constitution to protect human rights more effectively and grant legal standing to all citizens, not just the elite few. These changes are crucial for ensuring environmental protection and justice in Antigua and Barbuda.

Nationally, the scale of justice needs to be balanced. Protecting the elites against social accountability, which continuously undermines the truth, is a travesty of justice!