President of the Public Services Association (PSA) Watson Duke said officials in the Ministry of Gender Affairs must be fired, for what he described as the "unlawful" detention of a ministry employee, Cheryl Miller. Duke made the statement yesterday during a news conference at the PSA headquarters on Abercromby Street. Miller was removed from her office on March 30, following a verbal outburst. She was taken from her office to the St Ann's Hospital and has remained there for the past 15 days. Duke also announced that the PSA had filed a writ of habeas corpus in the High Court on Miller's behalf, after retaining an attorney, Stanley Marcus, SC.
The matter was expected to go before a judge yesterday afternoon. Duke said the detention of Miller was more than a violation of the Civil Service Act and charged that officials in the ministry had brought the public service into disrepute. "No human being should be deprived of their freedom without due process," Duke said. Duke said the Mental Health Act allowed for people to be detained in emergency situations but doubted this was the case in Miller's situation. "What happens to the youth looking on? What is the child to feel when a mother can be whisked away and taken unlawfully to a mental hospital?" Duke asked. He said Miller had no history of mental illness or acts of violence.
He said he was taken aback and dumbstruck when he learnt of the extreme measures used. Duke said he had visited the hospital to speak to Miller privately. "She told me that they had detained her from speaking to me," he added. "Who is behind all of this? What is the purpose? What are they trying to achieve? Why are they trying to destroy this woman's character beyond repair?" Duke asked.
Messages and calls to both permanent secretary in the ministry of Gender Affairs Sandra Jones and line Minister Verna St Rose-Greaves were unsuccessful yesterday as calls to their cell phones went unanswered. Messages left were also not returned up to press time.
Mental Health Act
The Mental Health Act says the Psychiatric Hospital Director or duly authorised medical officer may admit a person as an urgent admission if an application is made under subsection (1).
The act says the application may be made by "any person who alleges that the person in respect of whom the application is made is mentally ill and in the interest of his health and for the safety and protection of others, or either of them, ought to be detained in a hospital, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a medical practitioner other than the duly authorised medical officer responsible for the admission of the person."
Mental Health Act Chapter 28:02:
6) Every person who is or is reasonably believed to be in need of such treatment as is provided in a psychiatric hospital may be admitted thereto-
a) as an urgent admission patient;
b) as a voluntary patient;
c) as a medically recommended patient;
d) by order of the Minister of National Security made pursuant to section14; or
f) on the application of a Mental Health Officer under section 15.