Issue No. 1002 Friday, 6 January 2006

Cubans claim boat ‘rammed’

A group of Cuban refugees currently detained in Grand Cayman have made written allegations that they were forced to leave their vessel after it was rammed and damaged by the Cayman Protector, the Drug Task Force/ RCIPS marine patrol vessel.  They further claim that Cayman officers pointed guns at the group, which included eight children, and threatened to sink their boat to force them to disembark ... read more...

Legal fraternity gathers for official court opening in George Town

Members of the legal fraternity and Ministers of Government posed for photographs after the ceremonial opening of the Grand Court in George Town on Wednesday, 4 January. The ceremony began at about 10 o’clock in front of the courthouse, where Chief Justice Anthony Smellie QC received a salute and inspected a Police Guard of Honour. After the ceremony, the formal opening of the court took place inside the courthouse... read more...

Human rights advocate calls for ‘protector’of immigrants

A member of the Cayman Islands Human Rights Committee (CIHRC) recommends a look at history to find ways to protect the rights of migrant workers in the Cayman Islands.  Gordon Barlow, a long-time champion of human rights, said, “I would like to see a revival of a historical office that existed in some of the British Caribbean colonies during the 19th Century.”... read more...

Derek Haines to go?

According to Cayman Net News sources, senior Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) Police Officer, Derek Haines – recently decorated with the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) for service in the field – is being moved out of the Service.  Sources reveal that Detective Chief Superintendent Haines’ contract has not been renewed.  Cayman Net News spoke with Mr Haines on the matter... read more...

Amnesty ends on low note

It would appear that not many people used the Immigration Department’s amnesty extension to leave the Island. Chief Immigration Officer Franz Manderson said that it seems only one person left the Island this weekend.  In addition, he is not even sure the person, an elderly American woman, could be considered as someone who overstayed her time here... read more...

Caymanian of the Week - Darren Ebanks

As a sales associate at Tony’s Toys, Darren Ebanks gets satisfaction in helping people find just the right car or helping them at the service garage.  “It feels good to know people trust you, especially when they need your help with their car,” said Mr Ebanks.  In his free time, Mr Ebanks loves the water; he owns two wave runners and has raced in the annual Jet Ski race - Jet Around Cayman and last year he came in second ... read more...