PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has started hearing applications for special leave to commence proceedings in a case in which a Jamaican is challenging the immigration laws of Trinidad and Tobago and Belize.

Maurice Tomlinson, who is homosexual, claims that the Immigration Act in these two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries violates his freedom of movement as a national within the 15-member grouping.

He is arguing that the both countries are contracting parties to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement and that the Immigration Act includes homosexuals “as a class of persons who are prohibited from entering their jurisdiction”.

The two applications were filed on May 31 and July 31 this year, but have since been consolidated. Amended applications were filed on August 5, this year with the Court’s permission.

Written submissions from the applicant and the respondents were received between September and October and further written submissions were filed with the leave of the Court on October 28 by the applicant and Trinidad and Tobago to address the ramifications of the case of Shanique Myrie and the State of Barbados.

Last month, the CCJ ordered Barbados to pay Myrie BD$75,000 (One BD$ = US$050 cents) in compensation after it found that Bridgetown had breached the rights of the Jamaican when she sought entry into the country in 2011.