ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – 17 August 2026 – The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has reaffirmed its commitment to an independent Judiciary while calling on the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) to consider what it describes as the complete official record surrounding Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s recent comments on sentencing and the administration of justice.
In correspondence to CMJA Secretary General Dr Karen Brewer, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, the Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, said the Government recognizes the Association’s legitimate role in protecting judicial independence throughout the Commonwealth and remains fully committed to the separation of powers, security of tenure for judicial officers, the Commonwealth Charter and the Latimer House Principles.
The letter responds to a statement issued by the CMJA on 14 August concerning Prime Minister Browne’s comments about the Judiciary. The Association’s intervention followed criticism of remarks made by the Prime Minister during discussions about crime and sentencing. The Caribbean Heads of Judiciary also issued joint statement expressing concern that the remarks threatened judicial independence and the separation of powers.
Minister Greene, however, said the CMJA statement did not appear to take account of subsequent developments, including the Prime Minister’s public clarification, his formal correspondence with the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and his response to the Caribbean Heads of Judiciary.
The Government said the original remarks were made during a 10 August meeting of the National Security Council against the backdrop of public concern over firearm violence, serious crime and sentencing outcomes considered by the majority of citizens to be unduly lenient.
The Government through Parliament strengthened penalties for specified firearm offences in 2024, including providing for a maximum sentence of 15 years following conviction on indictment for unlawful possession of a firearm.
The Government maintains that the Prime Minister, as head of the elected Government, has a constitutional and political responsibility to respond to public concerns surrounding crime, public safety and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
At the same time, the Government drew a clear distinction between criticism of sentencing outcomes and interference with judicial decision-making.
According to Minister Greene, the Prime Minister’s remarks did not seek to determine the outcome of any case, reopen a concluded matter or encourage anyone to disregard an order of the court. The Government further stated that it has not defied any judicial decision or court order.
Significantly, the Government pointed to Prime Minister Browne’s subsequent clarification that no judge would be removed, reassigned, deported or otherwise dealt with by executive action.
Questions concerning the tenure, assignment or conduct of judicial officers, the Government said, will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Minister Greene stated that no executive measure has been taken or is contemplated to remove, reassign, deport or discipline any judicial officer outside of the legally established procedures.
That clarification comes amid continued regional debate. Prime Minister Browne has maintained his criticism of sentencing practices while rejecting the contention that such criticism, by itself, constitutes an attack on judicial independence.
The Government said the clarification therefore did not amount to abandoning its concerns about sentencing outcomes. Instead, it established the constitutional boundaries within which those concerns would be pursued.
Minister Greene has asked the CMJA to make the Government’s letter available alongside the Association’s 14 August statement so that its membership and the wider Commonwealth public can have access to what the Government considers the complete record of events.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to judicial independence, constitutional government, public safety and constructive cooperation among the branches of the State.
The Government’s position, he said, is that those principles are mutually reinforcing and must all be protected. Minister Greene’s letter is attached.
