Category: Justice

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

Strong background checks needed for all people working with children in state care, says Jamaicans for Justice

January 12, 2023

There has long been a public perception that Jamaica’s most vulnerable children are not being given the care and protection they need. In particular, we seem to be tolerating – or pretending we don’t know – about the predatory habits of older men towards our young girls. It is depressing, and it has been going … More Strong background checks needed for all people working with children in state care, says Jamaicans for Justice

“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

On the Rio Cobre, Cockpit Country, and their Jamaican people

December 21, 2022

As the year draws to a close, there are more issues hanging in the balance. I sometimes feel the future of the Planet, including our small, sometimes green, rocky island, is in the balance, too. As the delegates to COP15 – the critical UN conference on biodiversity – pack up their laptops, check out of … More On the Rio Cobre, Cockpit Country, and their Jamaican people

Submission by Jamaican citizens to Parliament regarding developments in Kingston and St. Andrew

December 7, 2022

In my last blog post, I mentioned the submission made to the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee of Jamaica’s Houses of Parliament, dated November 9, 2022, by Citizens Rights to the City (a conglomeration of 29 citizens associations and communities). The citizens had made a submission in November, 2021. The submission was not discussed at … More Submission by Jamaican citizens to Parliament regarding developments in Kingston and St. Andrew

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

The leadership question: some thoughts from Jamaica’s Integrity Commission

November 20, 2022

When we are discussing a particularly intractable problem, and there seems to be no solution, no positive outcome – in fact, no outcome at all – we often scratch our heads and say: “Well, it’s a matter of leadership.” In other words, a lack of leadership. We cannot untangle the conundrum. We go round in … More The leadership question: some thoughts from Jamaica’s Integrity Commission

Urgent statement re: mining-related activities in SML173 – Cockpit Country, Jamaica

November 19, 2022

The lobby group Freedom Imaginaries is raising the alarm. Please read their statement below carefully. This morning I attended a conference which provided valuable updates on the Kingston Harbour Ecosystem Adaptation Measures Project (KHEAM). This impressive project, spearheaded by the GraceKennedy Foundation, embraces several partners and is ensuring full community involvement and buy-in. I met … More Urgent statement re: mining-related activities in SML173 – Cockpit Country, Jamaica

Jamaica’s Rio Cobre continues to suffer, and so do those depending on it

November 16, 2022

The saga of the Rio Cobre, one of our island’s major rivers, is a long and sad one. Neither this beautiful river, nor those who depend on it for their food, their livelihoods and their families, deserve the poor treatment they have received over the years. The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) and other groups have … More Jamaica’s Rio Cobre continues to suffer, and so do those depending on it