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New Mediation Center Opened in Providenciales

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, July 25, 2022 – A new opportunity for restorative justice and dispute resolution is available for residents across the country with the commissioning of the Mediation Centre of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The centre, launched on Friday July 15th in Providenciales, was a combined effort between the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Chief Justice Mabel Ageymang explained what the Centre offered for Islanders.

“The Mediation Centre is dedicated to the use of persons throughout the islands who wish to have their disputes mediated, as well as victims of, and persons impacted by crime who seek to achieve healing and closure through Victim- Offender mediation, referred to as Restorative Justice.”  She said, “the Mediation Centre will be the neutral place away from the intimidations associated with courtrooms; providing comfort, to allow for meaningful mediation of disputes as well as the facilitation of the restorative process.”

Restorative justice was put into law in the TCI on June 1, 2022 with the backing of the Criminal Justice Group.  The Chief Justice stressed that it was efficient and a proven way to settle disputes.

“It is a form of mediation which employs a reparative approach to criminal justice by emphasizing the repairing of harm caused to victims and persons impacted by crime, as well as finding positive ways forward after the devastating effects of crime by encouraging meaningful engagement.  May I make it clear that all this is done without sacrificing the accountability that should accompany the commission of crime.”

Ageymang said the same applied for mediation and it was no less efficient than a court trial.

“Mediation which achieves speedy resolution, and is cost effective has the track record of upholding the dignity of feuding parties, and also, of preserving relationships.  Persons with disputes may now go to court not to have their matter heard by a Judge or Magistrate, but to request mediation—and now, they have a comfortable place to air their grievances and work towards the resolution of their dispute.”

In terms of amenities the Centre will have two conference rooms with electronic capability so that traumatized victims do not have to be in the same room as their abusers; an office for a mental health practitioner; offices for mediators and facilitators to prepare for sessions; an office for the ADR administrator who will assist mediators facilitators and residents as well as disabled access.  The Chief Justice stressed that despite the location being in Providenciales the Centre is for all Islanders.

Staffing for the Mediation Centre is also secured, as earlier this year President of the Bar Association Selvyn Hawkins announced that mediation services were now actively available for Islanders in the Justice system for both civil and criminal cases as community residents and members of the Bar Association had been trained and certified in the discipline by the University of the West Indies.

Ageymang revealed that 42 residents have been trained in mediation and 26 in restorative justice so far.  The new volunteers include attorneys; members of the House of Assembly; psychologists; public servants; members of the public and ministers.  Eleven of these trained individuals are already on the mediation roster and 10 applications are pending.  Unfortunately only one person was on the restorative justice roster, Ageymang encouraged the rest of the people trained by the Justice system to apply to join the roster immediately.

The event was attended by acting Governor Anya Williams, Chief Justice Mabel Ageymang, Certified Mediator Ann Diaz who was responsible for the training of the Turks and Caicos’s new mediators, Premier Washington Misick, other Ministers of Government and high ranking officials in the judiciary.

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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