Jamaicans for Justice condemns the murders of two policemen

Human rights groups are not popular in Jamaica. Many Jamaicans do not seem to understand what the philosophy behind their work is, and wrongly ascribe motives to them that are very far from the truth. Our leaders frequently make snide remarks about them, especially when they are talking to a supportive audience, perhaps the party faithful – because they know that it is a popular thing to say.

The philosophy of human rights, in Jamaica and everywhere else, is extremely simple: Human rights are for all. Full stop. That means everyone: women, children, police officers, LGBTQI+ individuals, the rich, the poor, the elderly, the disabled, rural dwellers, young men and women, city dwellers, squatters, homeless people, the mentally ill, churchgoers, “law-abiding citizens” of every stripe – and oh yes, even “criminals” (as they are usually so labeled before they are actually convicted) – who do in fact still have a right to life, a right to legal representation, to their “day in court,” and so on.

The list could go on. But – you get my drift. Human rights is for everyone. For all humans. We are all humans. Sadly though, as in other parts of the world, in Jamaica some humans have more rights than others.

A regular cry goes up, accusing human rights lobby groups of the same thing these Jamaicans are doing – picking and choosing who has rights and who doesn’t. According to this chorus, they “defend criminals” (nobody else), aided and abetted by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), whose mandate is to investigate abuses by agents of the State.

It puzzles me that Jamaicans never take the time to figure out what organisations like Jamaicans for Justice work on, day to day. They do a great deal more than issue the occasional press release for the anti-human rights crowd to jump on. Among other work, they “provide legal assistance to victims of human rights violations and their families, pro bono legal advice to primarily low-income and marginalised persons, and strategic litigation of human rights, social justice and state accountability matters.” They conduct human rights training for the police, outreach programmes in schools, and legal advice workshops in inner city communities. And as I noted in my previous post, they have provided justice services for victims of gender-based violence for the past two years.

Anyway, the antipathy towards human rights advocates seems to be convenient for some sections of society. The issue is manipulated – especially in an atmosphere of relentlessly rising crime and violence – and as so often sadly happens, ignorance is encouraged and allowed to fester, for all kinds of reasons. Amidst all of this unnecessary divisiveness and finger-pointing, the marginalised and those whose lives don’t really count as much as others continue to suffer.

That said, JFJ sent out a statement this week condemning the recent murders of two police officers in separate incidents (see below). Minister Desmond McKenzie told an audience of supporters this weekend that “only one” of the human rights groups had spoken out against their murders. This time, he could not “blast” them all (to use a favourite media word). This is the same government minister who a couple of weeks ago declared: “Every time we (government) put one foot forward, we hear them talking about people’s constitutional rights…What about the innocent families? What about their rights? Who is going to support the rights of innocent Jamaicans who are murdered by these terrorists?”

I wonder what the good minister was saying here; and whether he realised what he was suggesting. This is only one example of this kind of rhetoric – and it is not only some political representatives who are talking in this kind of tone, but other “leaders” in society. Ironically, Minister McKenzie represents Tivoli Gardens, where one of the most horrific breaches of human rights took place in 2010.

But you know – it’s complicated. Here is JFJ’s statement:

JFJ Condemns Murders of Police Officers

October 21, 2022- Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) joins with countless others across society in condemning the brutal murder of Corporal Oliver Mullings, attached to the Kingston Western Division, who was slain in Trench Town, Kingston on Thursday. We also mourn the loss of Constable Brian Martin of the St. Andrew Central Police Division, where four others, including a 10-year-old, were also injured.

While full details are still unavailable, initial reports indicate that both officers were killed while performing their duties. In a society plagued by violent crime, our law enforcement officers face great risks in the line of duty protecting Jamaicans.

We hope that the perpetrators of this crime will be quickly brought before the courts and urge anyone with information that could assist to report it to the police. JFJ offers condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of both officers. We thank them for their years of service to the country.