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JUDICIARY MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER COURT OF APPEAL PRESIDENT JUSTICE PAUL HARRISON

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KINGSTON, Jamaica, February 9, 2021 – The Judiciary of Jamaica is mourning the passing of former President of the Court of Appeal the Honourable Mr. Justice Paul Theodore Harrison, OJ, who died on Sunday, February 7, 2021.

Chief Justice the Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan Sykes, OJ, CD, said Justice Harrison’s skills as a trial judge, his judge craft and court management were unmatched.

“Justice Harrison by virtue of his integrity, both as a person and judge, contributed significantly in establishing the high reputation for independence of thought and rigour in judicial decision making that our Judiciary enjoys today,” Chief Justice Sykes said.

Meanwhile, President of the Court of Appeal the Honourable Mr. Justice Patrick Brooks, OJ, CD hailed Justice Harrison as an exemplar of correct judicial demeanour and a first-class jurist. 

“Many of the judges of this court remember him making presentations at several judicial seminars, assisting younger colleagues and guiding magistrates and clerks of court in honing their craft. He did so in his smooth, unruffled manner, which was his trademark on and off the bench. Justice Harrison was always measured in his speech and even tempered and polite in his approach,” Justice Brooks said.

Justice Harrison began his outstanding career in the courts in the then Resident Magistrates’ Court as a temporary clerk in 1958. After qualifying for the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in London, he returned to Jamaica and served as a Clerk of Courts. He served as a prosecutor in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for four years (1971–1975) before commencing, what turned out to be an illustrious career on the bench. He was a Resident Magistrate for ten years before being elevated to the Supreme Court as a Puisne Judge in 1985, where he served for twelve years. He was appointed as Judge of Appeal in 1997 and eight years later assumed the presidency (2005-2007) of the Court of Appeal. He retired after serving the people of Jamaica for forty nine (49) years.

Having spent a significant portion of his professional life in the field of criminal law, he showed great agility of mind, commitment to learning and steadfastness in purpose by developing into an outstanding judge in the civil law. As a trial judge, he was equally competent in presiding over criminal and civil trials. His summations were succinct without sacrificing precision, comprehensive without being verbose, eloquent without being pretentious. As he was in speech, so he was in prose. His many judgments in the Court of Appeal provided learning guidance at the time they were written and with the passage of time, their lights burn with ever increasing luminosity.

His service to the country did not end when he demitted the office of President. He was the commissioner for an enquiry into the fatal fire that occurred at the Armadale Juvenile Centre. His recommendations led to significant changes in the treatment of young people in conflict with the law. He was, for a time, a member of the local Privy Council that advises His Excellency the Governor General.

At the time of his untimely passing, Justice Harrison was presiding over a landmark case in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The COVID-19 pandemic forced him to remain at home and to preside over the case by videoconference. He was, therefore, with his family when he became suddenly ill and later died.

All who appeared before him will remember his calm, yet firm demeanour and his gentleness of spirit. The Judiciary of Jamaica mourns the loss of this outstanding Excelsior High School graduate who has left a lasting legacy in Jamaican and Commonwealth Caribbean jurisprudence.

The Judiciary extends its sincere condolences to Justice Paul Harrison’s family, his wife Doreen, his son Dirk and his daughter Paulette, and pray that they will be given the strength to bear their loss. May his family and friends find comfort in knowing that his was a life well lived.

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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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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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