Letter to the Governor of Jersey (CI)

To: [email protected]
From: Pól Ó Duibhir
Subject: Imprisonment of Stuart Syvret

Dear Governor

Are we to take it that you have no problem with the current imprisonment of Stuart Syvret, whatever the proximate cause of this move by the Jersey courts/administration (as you know, they are all the one).

You will be aware that Stuart Syvret, through a campaign of speaking truth to power, and also involving civil disobedience, has been testing the conflicted administrative/judicial system on the island.

One of his objectives is to bring this anomalous situation on the island to the attention of those whose responsibilities should oblige them to do something to rectify it.

It is quite clear, that, Jersey being a Crown Dependency, the only channel of appeal is to Her Majesty, ideally through you as her representative on the island. You will be aware that those conflicted persons currently exercising authority on the island do so through the powers conferred on them by Her Majesty through her Letters Patent.

Could you confirm that Her Majesty is content with the way these powers are being exercised, and if she is, how she justifies this view in the light of the lack of separation of powers and the lack of respect of the requirements of the EHCR, matters which have been highlighted by Stuart Syvret, most particularly in the period since his dismissal as Minister on foot of his revelations about child abuse on the island.

On the other hand, if Her Majesty is not satisfied with how the powers she has delegated are being exercised, what is she proposing to do about it.

You will be aware that most of those outside the island, who know what is going on there, are aghast at the breakdown in the rule of law. Such a breakdown is not only in breach of the ECHR but also has serious implications for the stability of the island's important financial sector.

Thank you,

Pól Ó Duibhir
(former resident on the island)