Jamaica - March 2023

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced on 22 March the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) to oversee and assist in the country’s transformation from a constitutional monarchy towards a republic. The CRC is comprised of 14 members representing diverse sectors, including civil society, academia and youth representatives, government, the parliamentary opposition, chief legal officers, as well as constitutional law and governance experts – under the leadership of Jamaica’s Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte. 

The CRC has been tasked to provide guidance and oversight throughout the constitutional review process and through the implementation of recommendations. The protracted constitutional reform process will be carried out in three phases that will involve a thorough and comprehensive review of the 1962 Constitution of Jamaica. The government plans to subsequently hold a referendum by the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025, regarding the proposal for Jamaica’s transition to a republic. 

Sources:Caribbean National Weekly, Jamaica Observer, Constitution Net,  Government of Jamaica Information Service, Forbes