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Citizenship controversy continues in the Cayman Islands

Thursday, October 23, 2003

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: The Cayman Islands Cabinet was scheduled to approve another large batch of Caymanian Status (belongership) grants by special dispensation in its meeting on Tuesday, according a senior Government official.

Though efforts by Cayman Net News to confirm the exact number of expected grants of Status were unsuccessful, estimates vary from another 200 to 2,000 persons

These grants come on top of more than 1,900 such grants of Status last month, in addition to the 200-person 2003 Status quota on which the Cayman Islands Immigration Board is now deliberating, plus the approximately 110 persons who will receive Caymanian citizenship from the Immigration Board through the naturalisation requirement.

The special dispensation Status grants by the Governor in Cabinet have come under sharp criticism from the Opposition Party, as well as many private citizens.

Members of the Opposition have accused the Government of trying to influence the outcome of the 2004 General Elections by adding new citizens who would vote for United Democratic Party (UDP) candidates because of gratitude for getting Caymanian Status.

The Caymanian Bar Association has also expressed its concerns that the controversy over large number of recent grants of Caymanian Status is damaging the Islands' reputation for good governance and stability.

In particular it says that the Cabinet's power to grant Status is limited to the extent that it must find "special reasons" for granting Status to an individual. Historically, Cabinet (in the form of Executive Council) has limited such grants to relatively small numbers.

The grant of Status to some 1,900 individuals in such a short period of time suggests that it might not have been possible for proper and appropriate consideration to have been given to each candidate. It is feasible therefore that certain of the grants may be subject to challenge.

A grant may also be subject to challenge if it were made in circumstances in which Cabinet exercised its powers unfairly or for an improper purpose.

Furthermore, a grant of Status by Cabinet cannot be revoked, whereas a grant of Status conferred by the Immigration Board may be revoked in appropriate circumstances, for example if a grantee is convicted of a serious criminal offence such as rape or murder. The Bar Association is concerned that the 1,900 individuals who have now been granted Status by Cabinet are actually in a more secure position than those long-term residents who have been granted Status by the Immigration Board.

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