Jamaica Urged to Accelerate Move Toward Republic Status

Delroy Chuck, Jamaica’s Minister of Justice, wants his country to cut its final constitutional ties with Britain. Speaking during a parliamentary debate on June 10, he urged lawmakers to revive the Constitution (Amendment) (Republic) Act of 2024, arguing there is no reason to delay removing the British monarch as head of state.

Because such constitutional changes require a two-thirds majority, Chuck appealed to Mark Golding, the opposition leader, to forge a bipartisan consensus. Alongside the push for a republic, the government is consulting the public on replacing the Privy Council as Jamaica’s final appellate court.

Mr. Chuck proposed several models, including a hybrid tribunal featuring international judges, provided the ultimate court remains distinctly Jamaican.

While piecemeal reforms – such as establishing the office of a public defender – can proceed independently, the ministry insists that full sovereignty requires broad political agreement. To build public support, the justice ministry continues its civic education campaign, distributing copies of the constitution as the island-nation moves to finalize its post-colonial identity.