Over Half A Dozen Court Rulings Show Barbuda Land Belongs to the Crown, Says Senior Counsel Astaphan

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SC-Anthony-Astaphan

Senior Counsel Astaphan Outlines Court Rulings on Barbuda Land Ownership

Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan has traced the legal history affirming that land in Barbuda is owned by the Crown, countering claims of communal land rights often raised by the Barbuda Council and local residents. His comments come amid heightened tensions over a government-led housing project on the island.

Mr. Astaphan highlighted a series of court rulings that, he said, confirm the absence of communal land ownership in Barbuda. These judgments, he noted, establish that all land on the island is vested in the Crown under the law, granting the government authority to manage and develop it for public benefit.

“The courts have consistently ruled that Barbuda’s land belongs to the Crown. There is no legal foundation for claims of communal ownership,” he said.

Mr. Astaphan also addressed misinterpretations of the Barbuda Land Act, explaining that it allows regulated use of land by residents but does not transfer ownership. He argued that claims of communal land ownership have been “misrepresented” to fuel opposition to government initiatives.

Providing historical context, Mr. Astaphan described how tenancy arrangements in Barbuda during colonial times were often misunderstood. He explained that the concept of “tenants in common,” frequently cited by protesters, was a legal arrangement that did not confer ownership rights to residents.

“The narrative of communal land ownership is rooted in a misinterpretation of history,” Mr. Astaphan said. “It is a political myth that lacks legal credibility.”

Protests against the government’s housing project have intensified, with residents and Barbuda Council members accusing the administration of disregarding local rights and bypassing consultations. Mr. Astaphan dismissed these allegations, stating that the government’s actions align with constitutional and legal provisions.

“It is settled law,” he said. “The government is acting within its authority to clear land for development.”

The administration has maintained that consultations have been held with the Barbuda Council, though the Council has criticised the level of engagement as insufficient.

The dispute over land ownership and development has brought long-standing tensions in Barbuda to the forefront. Protesters argue that the housing project threatens Barbuda’s unique cultural identity and governance structures, while the government insists it is working to empower residents by offering freehold land titles.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has repeatedly defended the project, calling it a transformative initiative for the island.

“The notion that the government is undermining Barbudans is not only false but absurd,” he said in a recent statement. “This project is about giving Barbudans the tools to build their future.”

As tensions persist, Mr. Astaphan urged Barbudans to rely on legal precedent rather than rhetoric. He emphasised that the government’s actions are grounded in constitutional authority, adding that political narratives have obscured the facts.

The housing project, part of broader development plans for Barbuda, remains a flashpoint in debates about governance, land rights, and the island’s future. Further consultations and legal challenges are likely to shape the ongoing conflict.

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7 COMMENTS

  1. He has resurfaced!!! Cara shilkingford eat him to submission. He ran from Da and is here preaching for a few dollars more. Tell him that Dr McIntyre wants him back in Dominica. He help SkerRAT kill Dominica and run away. If his puppet is doing such a great job in Dominica why is he here in Antigua? He should be in dominica singing from the mountain top, “how great, how great, how great thou art SkerRAT.”.

  2. as usual if u want to know whats really going on, follow the money. who’s making money out of selling off barbuda? who stands to gain the most?

  3. I bet you if VC Bird, was still alive,the Barbudans will would of behave so, because he would also have the same vision like Gaston Browne…

    Barbudans must look ahead, and stop make others keep them down of of selfishness,and one sided mentality…

    The Government wanted better things to happen for all Barbudans….

  4. @Victor Vrowbe

    Trevor Walker has been calling for a divorce but the little Jim Jones punk with his house and land in Royal Gardens ANTIGUA is a coward!!! He knows that Barbuda cannot survive on its own, so that’s why he never filed divorce papers.

    The BROWN PAPERBAG 🤡 just fulla fart!!

  5. There is also a court ruling stating that Mussington has standing to bring a claim against the government over the construction of the airport in Barbuda yet in spite of this the government has pressed ahead with construction and opened the airport before the case is settled. Since when is this government mindful of court rulings. Astaphan best give us a heavy break please 🙄.

  6. Astaphan is Lebanese so he will never be on the side of black people, he will always try to keep with the whites who don’t want him. He will always pushing white monopoly capital domination agenda.

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