KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has Thursday reserved its decision on the application by the Jamaica government to join in the case of Shanique Myrie who accused immigration officials in Barbados of sexually assaulting her more than a year ago.

Jamaica's application to intervene in the case was heard yesterday by a three member panel of judges headed by the CCJ president Sir Charles Byron via video link.

The application was made by Dr Kathy-Ann Brown, the deputy solicitor general and O'Neil Francis, Crown Counsel from the Attorney General’s Department. The lawyers argued that the application was made to protect the interest of the Jamaican people under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping.

The CCJ, established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council, also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the treatyas well as deciding disputes between CARICOM nationals and regional countries concerning issues with which the treaty deals with including the free movement of nationals within the grouping.

Myrie claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Barbadian officials when she arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport on March 14 last year. She said she was also subjected to forceful and brutish language by the officials at the airport on her arrival.

In April, the CCJ awarded legal cost to Myrie after the Barbadian government conceded that she had a case.

The Barbados government had earlier objected to the Jamaica government becoming a party to the law suit brought by Myrie.

But Myrie and her lawyers are in support of the Jamaica government's petition.

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