Saint Lucia Labour Party Statement on Citizenship by Investment Regulations Following Speaker of the House Actions

The Saint Lucia Labour Party vows to review every citizenship granted under the UWP in lieu of recent actions by the Speaker of the House to remove the motion on the Order Paper of the Sitting of the House of Assembly regarding CIP Regulations

CASTRIES, Saint Lucia, April 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) strongly condemns the action of the Speaker of the House of Assembly to remove the Motion on the Order Paper of the Sitting of the House of Assembly to debate the changes made by the Prime Minister to the CIP Regulations.

The SLP contends that the action of the Speaker, which she said was on the request of the Prime Minister, was illegal and an abuse of power.

The removal of the Motion for debate was followed by the Prime Minister presenting a Minister's Statement on the CIP. This Statement is not what is required by the CIP Act which clearly states what information must be presented to the Parliament and people of Saint Lucia accompanied by an Auditor's Report of the finances earned by the Programme.

This course of action surely raises a question as to what does the Prime Minister seek to hide in the operations of the CIP. There must be something wrong about why the Prime Minister would not want a debate nor submit a formal report – required by law - to the Parliament.

The SLP continues to express its deepest concern with the actions of the Allen Chastanet Administration, which actions serves to weaken the reputation of the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP). Under our SLP Government, the Programme was introduced with the objective to create a well-regarded, well-regulated and prized Programme which respects the values of the St Lucian people and their citizenship rights. Sadly, this vision has been compromised by the actions of the current Administration.

Specific safety mechanisms, including the annual cap of 500 applicants and the requirement to show proof of minimum $3 million net worth, which were specifically created to protect the programme, have been removed. The Labour Party believes that these changes, along with the cheapening of the level of donation as a qualifying investment and the guarantee of processing all Desert Star Holdings (DSH) applicants within 35 days should all be reconsidered for the sake of the reputation of Saint Lucia.

The SLP and other concerned parties are not in agreement with these changes, as these changes will undoubtedly undermine the national security safeguards which were embedded in the setting up of the CIP. The Labour Party believes that the CIP should be presented as a premium, selective and highly valued option and not sold as the lowest option available to any and everybody. The refusal of the Prime Minister and the Speaker to allow a debate or to present a Report as required by law to Parliament forces the Saint Lucia Labour Party to take a strong stand against the present management of the Saint Lucia CIP. 

Without any hesitation, when the Labour Party resumes office, we will reinstate the net worth requirement and will undertake another due diligence assessment on each and every application granted under the UWP, with our promise to revoke any passports of applicants, who do not meet the $3 million net worth requirement or does not meet the strict due diligence requirements which Saint Lucians expect. Applicants applying for citizenship in St Lucia should be warned that when the SLP is returned to office, we will also demand that all citizens who did not donate the full contribution amount of USD 200,000, will be compelled to top up the contribution that they made at the time of becoming citizens.

For the sanctity of our citizenship, we do not tolerate any applicants who do not meet the first-class standard that we expect from individuals seeking citizenship in St Lucia.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ernest Hilaire
Saint Lucia Labour Party
ernest.hilaire@gmail.com