Opinion | FREE MIKE: Justice Must Never Become Persecution
I cannot remain silent when serious questions arise about how justice is being served in our country. The lengthy court proceedings involving former Premier Michael Misick, former Minister McAllister “Piper” Hanchell and attorney Thomas Chalmers Misick raise important questions about fairness, human rights and the constitutional right to a hearing within a reasonable time.
Nobody should be above the law, but everyone is entitled to its full protection. The central question is whether our justice system has done enough to ensure that these cases were dealt with within a reasonable time and that the rights of everyone involved were properly protected.
Nobody is above the law, but nobody should be denied its protection either. People must answer for their actions, and accountability is essential to the rule of law. However, accountability does not excuse unnecessary delays or unfair treatment. A justice system must do more than secure convictions. It must also deliver justice fairly and within a reasonable time.
The investigation began in 2010, charges followed in 2011, and the trial began in 2015. Convictions came in February 2026, followed by prison sentences in May. These proceedings took many years to reach judgment at trial. We must ask why, what went wrong and what can be done to prevent similar delays.
A criminal case that continues for years does not affect only the people standing trial. It can place a lasting burden on families, witnesses and others connected to the proceedings. As time passes, memories can fade and evidence can become harder to secure. That is why the right to a hearing within a reasonable time is so important. It protects individuals while helping to preserve confidence in the justice system.
What does such a lengthy process mean for those facing charges, their families and the wider community? Can we be satisfied with a system in which proceedings take more than a decade to reach judgment? These are legitimate questions about whether our justice system is meeting the standards required by our Constitution. They do not require us to dismiss the seriousness of the offences or disregard the findings of the courts.
I respect the independence of the judiciary. However, respect for the courts does not require the public to remain silent when serious concerns arise. Citizens have a right to question their institutions, particularly when the way they operate affects people’s lives and public confidence. The courts recognised that delays were relevant to sentencing. We should therefore examine what caused those delays and whether changes are needed to prevent other defendants from facing the same prolonged uncertainty.
I am not asking for special treatment for former political leaders or anyone else. I am asking for the same standards of fairness, timeliness and dignity that every person in our country should expect. The strength of a justice system is not measured by how it treats those who are popular or powerful, but by whether it applies the law fairly, regardless of a person’s position or political connections.
We must also be honest about our national history. Between 2003 and 2009, Michael Misick led a PNP Government during a period of significant economic growth and development. Tourism expanded, international investment increased, and the Turks and Caicos Islands strengthened their position as a leading luxury destination in the Caribbean.
Developments such as the Grand Turk Cruise Centre, Amanyara, Seven Stars and the expansion of Beaches helped strengthen our tourism industry. Construction, transportation, real estate and professional services created opportunities for businesses and workers. The North Caicos–Middle Caicos Causeway improved travel between the islands, while hosting the 2007 CARIFTA Games gave our country a proud moment in regional sport. Scholarships, healthcare reform and investment in hospital facilities also formed part of that period’s development.
Acknowledging these achievements does not excuse wrongdoing or challenge the findings of the courts. It simply recognises that a period of government can have lasting achievements and serious failures. Neither should be erased to serve a political argument. Our history belongs to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and it should be recorded on the strength of the facts, not rewritten to satisfy political loyalties.
I am also concerned about the human cost of prolonged legal proceedings and the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of Michael Misick, McAllister Hanchell and Thomas Chalmers Misick while their appeals are pending. Their convictions do not remove their entitlement to lawful treatment, proper healthcare, access to legal representation and the other protections afforded to people in custody. These are not special privileges. They are standards that the justice system must uphold for everyone.
Human dignity is not a reward for good behaviour, nor does it depend on popularity or political affiliation. It is a basic human right. A person does not lose that right upon conviction.
I therefore call for an independent examination of the delays in these proceedings. It should establish where the delays occurred, what caused them and whether any institutional shortcomings contributed. It should also recommend practical measures to ensure that future cases are handled more efficiently, without weakening the rights of defendants or the ability of the state to prosecute crime. The examination should not interfere with the pending appeals or attempt to replace the proper legal process. Its purpose must be to identify the facts and improve the administration of justice.
We must also remember the constitutional history of our islands. The 2009 Commission of Inquiry, the investigations that followed and the suspension of parts of our Constitution marked a defining period in our modern history. Those events raised serious questions about accountability, democratic rights, British authority and the ability of Turks and Caicos Islanders to govern their own affairs.
Investigating crime and holding people accountable are necessary. So are constitutional protections and the right to fair treatment. Our status as a British Overseas Territory must not weaken our expectations of justice. We should demand a system that protects our rights, respects our dignity and resolves cases within a reasonable time, regardless of who stands before it.
This issue is bigger than Michael Misick, the PNP or the political divisions that have shaped our recent history. It concerns the standards we expect from our institutions and the kind of justice system we want for our country.
We can respect the findings of the courts while examining whether the process has been fair. We can demand accountability while insisting on timely proceedings and humane treatment. These principles are not in conflict. They are essential to a justice system worthy of public confidence.
To Michael Eugene Misick, McAllister Hanchell, Thomas Chalmers Misick and their families, I say this: your dignity matters, and your legal rights must be respected. You remain entitled to every protection and lawful remedy available to you.
To the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, standing up for fairness is not an attack on our justice system. It is a demand that the system live up to the standards we expect of it. Public confidence cannot be maintained by asking people to stop asking questions. It must be earned through fairness, transparency and respect for the law.
We must have the courage to record our history honestly, learn from our mistakes and demand better from our institutions. Accountability must never become an excuse to disregard human dignity, and public anger must never replace the rule of law.
Let history be recorded honestly. Let the law protect everyone equally. Let justice be done without unnecessary delay. And let us never allow justice to become persecution.
Comments