Opposition criticises gov’t over handling of Cuba vote censure debate

The Opposition has accused the Government of manipulating parliamentary procedures to stifle debate on a censure motion over Jamaica’s abstention from a United Nations resolution condemning the United States embargo against Cuba.

The motion, tabled by Opposition Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton on Tuesday, was expected to be debated at the next sitting of the House of Representatives.

However, Leader of Government Business Floyd Green moved to suspend the Standing Orders to allow immediate debate.

The Opposition asserted that this happened despite the requirement that a motion cannot be debated on the day it is tabled.

Opposition MP Phillip Paulwell objected, also questioning the propriety of debating a censure motion against the Government in the absence of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

Speaker of the House Juliet Holness ruled that the Standing Orders, including the notice requirement, had been suspended.

Hylton opened the debate, followed by Green.

But as Opposition members prepared to contribute, Green moved to close the debate.

After dismissing the Opposition’s motion as “absurd”, Green asked that the debate be closed, invoking Standing Order 38, which provides for the closure of debate.

House Speaker Juliet Holness put the question to the House and later said that Green’s request was supported by the “ayes”.

Opposition members rose in unison, loudly protesting the move to close the debate and arguing that several of their colleagues still wanted to contribute.

A standoff ensued in Gordon House, with Opposition members refusing to take their seats even as the Speaker rose in an attempt to restore order in the chamber.

The Opposition objected, citing Standing Order 38(2), which prohibits the early closure of debate where it would oppress the minority.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding called for a division, but no vote was taken amid the ensuing commotion.

The Speaker subsequently adjourned the sitting.

In a statement Wednesday, the Opposition condemned the handling of the motion and demanded that debate resume when the House next meets.

“This Government cannot be allowed to use procedural sleight of hand to silence Parliament on a matter of grave national importance. The censure motion stands, and every Opposition voice must be given the opportunity to be heard,” Golding said.

Hylton accused the Government of misleading Parliament about Jamaica's position on the Cuba resolution before attempting to avoid accountability.

“The Government misled the House on Cuba. It then tried to bury the consequences. We will not rest until accountability is delivered,” he said.

The Opposition said the dispute was not merely procedural but concerned democratic accountability and the public's right to know about decisions affecting Jamaica's international standing.

It maintained that the Government's handling of the matter had damaged the country's reputation and insisted that all members be allowed to contribute when the debate resumes.

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