Category: Crime

“Tek serious ting mek laugh”… a Jamaican habit that makes life bearable, and birds can join in

February 5, 2023

I have never understood why anyone would think Jamaica was a backwater, where nothing ever happens. The past week has been as full of dramatic news (59 guns found at Montego Bay seaport!), arguments, storms in teacups, and indeed sadness, as ever. When a huge debate about whether taxi drivers should put child seats in … More “Tek serious ting mek laugh”… a Jamaican habit that makes life bearable, and birds can join in

Let’s have a progressive agenda for Jamaica’s newly established Parliamentary Bicameral Women’s Caucus

February 3, 2023

So far this year, Jamaica’s news has been a little – what is the word? – dispiriting. Bleak, even, at times. However, I was very much cheered by news that the Parliamentary Bicameral Women’s Caucus (which I referred to in my last blog post) will actually become a reality – and very soon. The women … More Let’s have a progressive agenda for Jamaica’s newly established Parliamentary Bicameral Women’s Caucus

National unity needed more than ever, say Advocates Network… How to achieve it, is the question

January 22, 2023

What’s gone wrong? A few days ago, I watched footage of the laughable, but sad spectacle of German police officers, weighed down with their riot gear – stuck in the mud while trying to defend a coal mine from angry, jeering protesters. The struggle has been going on for weeks against the demolition of a … More National unity needed more than ever, say Advocates Network… How to achieve it, is the question

Jamaica Securities Dealers Association responds to major fraud investigation

January 18, 2023

What’s the date today? Why, it’s only January 17 – just a little over two weeks into 2023. And yet… The joyful, optimistic cries of “Happy New Year!” have frozen on our lips – and not only because of the recent cold front over the island. We have been stunned by two pieces of news: … More Jamaica Securities Dealers Association responds to major fraud investigation

“Civic space is under threat,” says Stand Up for Jamaica

January 8, 2023

It has been said many times before: democracy is not just about voting every few years. It is about participation. If this does not happen – if citizens’ voices are muzzled and those seeking transparency and accountability in government are accused of all kinds of dubious motives by governments and their supporters – then, democracy … More “Civic space is under threat,” says Stand Up for Jamaica

Happy New Year: Love, Peace, and a little bit of Hope

January 1, 2023

The evening leading up to midnight on New Year’s Eve always seems interminably long. New Year’s Eve is a time of what has been, what might be, and what is likely (or rather, not likely) to change. However, a lot of people are advising us and guiding us and urging us to “reflect and reset,” … More Happy New Year: Love, Peace, and a little bit of Hope

Sixteen days to put violence against women on the activist agenda in Jamaica

November 26, 2022

Today (November 26) is International Day Against Violence Against Women, which begins the Sixteen Days of Activism. As always, this issue will be high on the agenda among human rights activists across the island. Violence against women haunts us. In August, I wrote about the case of a young woman whose body has never been … More Sixteen days to put violence against women on the activist agenda in Jamaica

Human rights are for all (and human rights defenders are not the problem)

November 7, 2022

It bears repeating that human rights are for all. I quote from the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, forged in 1948 in the wake of two terrible World Wars. Here are Articles 1 and 3, as a reminder. But it is worth taking a “refresher” read… All human beings are born free and … More Human rights are for all (and human rights defenders are not the problem)