Dominica’s attorney general Levi Peter has issued a call to members of the Dominica House of Assembly to condemn all attacks made against the judiciary.
His comments come in light of a spate of attacks on the radio and social media against high court judge Bernie Stephenson one of two resident judges on the island.
According to the attorney general, the attacks against judges are “unjustified” especially since they are not permitted and able to defend themselves against the attacks.
He is of the view that while it is understandable to not agree with all decisions taken by the court, it is unwise to abuse the characters of members of the judiciary.
“The courts are essential for the proper functioning of any society and naturally we will not agree with all decisions of the courts all the time but that is not a problem since we are all entitled to have an opinion and by way of our constitution we are all entitled to express our opinions,” he said.
He stated that what we are not entitled to do is “to embark upon wholly unjustified attacks verbal or otherwise on the integrity and character of our judges especially since they are not able and permitted to defend themselves against such attacks.”
“It is totally inappropriate for any member of the society to engage in such behavior and we as members of this House must condemn Mr. Speaker such behaviors,” he stated.