Free Movement of Persons in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy: Issues of National and Regional Security Policy

• Author: Sophia Whyte-Givans
• Pages: 355-365

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FREE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS IN THE CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND E CONOMY

IntroductionIntroduction

IntroductionIntroduction

Introduction

The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is now in

existence with thirteen of the fifteen CARICOM states having

acceded to the CARICOM Single Market (CSM). These thirteen

states: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada,

Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname,

and Trinidad and Tobago acceded in 2006 and Montserrat in 2007. One

of the many questions that have arisen recently is the extent to which ‘free’

movement is actually ‘free’.

This chapter explores the issue of ‘free’ movement of persons by referring

to the specific articles of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which address

the issue. It then explains in layman’s terms what ‘free’ movement

constitutes currently within the scope of the CSME, and how the

interpretation could change over time. It goes a step further by arguing

that ‘free’ movement of labour must be safeguarded by the Caribbean

Court of Justice (CCJ). In addition, the case is made that the articles do

not speak to ‘free’ movement of people within the context of national

security vis-à-vis the exportation of crime from one country to another or

whether or not known criminals should be exempted from this provision.

Free Movement of Persons in the

CariCOM Single Market and Economy:

Issues of National and Regional Security Policy

SOPHIA WHYTE-GIVANS

2020

2020

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