Dominica Parliament holds emergency meeting to extend state of emergency

go through Time Domain Network Wireline staff

October 8, 2017 at 6:10 AM

The Dominican Capitol in Roseau.

Roseau, Dominica (TDN)
– The Parliament of Dominica voted to extend the island’s state of emergency until December 31, 2017, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. At a hastily arranged meeting on Saturday, October 7, 2017, the motion to extend the state of emergency was supported by all MPs present. Dominica President Charles Sevarin first declared a state of emergency hours after the storm passed through. As part of the declaration, a curfew was imposed from 4pm to 8am, prohibiting people from leaving their homes. Later, the curfew was changed from 6pm to 6am. In addition to the curfew, the constitution gives the president the option of controlling and regulating all means of communication and transportation, restricting the possession of specific items, limiting employment and commerce, and requiring people to report their whereabouts.

According to the Dominican Constitution, the President or someone authorized by him can declare a state of emergency. The state of emergency can last for 21 days or longer, but not more than 6 months, as determined by a resolution passed by a majority vote of the House of Representatives.