Kaseke: G.O.B. must defend citizen rights
As we reported on Thursday, through their attorneys the Seawell family is claiming that their loved ones rights have been violated by the United States government. On behalf of the family, attorneys Elson Kaseke and Dickie Bradley have outlined their clients’ objections as well as the claim that the extradition treaty between Belize and the United States has been breached in a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eamon Courtenay. According to Kaseke, because the U.S. kidnapped Duane from Jamaican custody in January, Belize should refuse to hand over his brothers Mark and Gary.
Dr. Elson Kaseke, Attorney for Seawell Brothers
“It is interesting to note that the decision of the minister is open to legal challenge, open to judicial review. If he decides that he is going to aid the U.S. government’s request for the extradition of Mark Seawell and Gary Seawell against the clear and controverted evidence that the U.S. government abducted Duane Seawell, whom they had already made a request to extradite from Belize, we will seek to challenge that by judicial review and we have so notified the minister in our letter.”
Kendra Griffith
“What do you feel your chances are of winning on those points?”
Dr. Elson Kaseke
“Well extradition traditionally is a difficult process. I don’t want to be too optimistic, but at the other end I don’t want to be too pessimistic because the evidence in this case is overwhelming. The press, including Channel 5 have been reporting that Duane Seawell was taken against his will, that he was whisked away from court as soon as the proceedings finished. U.S. law enforcement were waiting, that is a feature which has been exhibited even here in Belize, where people who were taken against their will. Cases have gone to the Supreme Court on that point and people have won on the point that they were taken from Belize against their will, so I will say there is a real prospect of success. Much depends on the Minister of Foreign Affairs; we will have to see the commitment of the government to protecting the rights of its citizens.”
Kendra Griffith
“And your chances of Duane coming home?”
Dr. Elson Kaseke
“The chances of Duane come home, I would say at this point, not very promising.”
“I see a clear pattern developing where once you are in the hands of the U.S. authorities you are beyond the remedy of the jurisdiction of the Belizean authorities and that’s the end of it.”
The extradition case against Mark Seawell has been adjourned until May seventh. Gary Seawell has yet to be detained by authorities.
