Independent Commission of Investigations

On her way home: Remembering Miss Jenny on Human Rights Day in Jamaica

December 11, 2023

She had a “straight back.” She was courageous, and determined. She was Miss Jenny. On Tuesday evening, December 5, 2023, at a little after 5:00 p.m., a 73-year-old resident of Kingston, Jamaica, followed her well-worn path from work to home as usual: a dirt path in the Waltham Park area of the city, hemmed in … More On her way home: Remembering Miss Jenny on Human Rights Day in Jamaica

When will there be justice for Mario Deane’s family? Perhaps, next year…

October 24, 2023

“I just want some closure… Let him rest in peace.” So says Mercia Frazer, the mother of Mario Deane, whose trial has been stalled for many years. It is now set for the end of February, 2024. Do you remember Mario Deane? He was the 31-year-old construction worker who died in hospital of severe injuries … More When will there be justice for Mario Deane’s family? Perhaps, next year…

Jamaicans for Justice condemns the murders of two policemen

October 24, 2022

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 … More Jamaicans for Justice condemns the murders of two policemen

Justice matters in Jamaica

September 9, 2022

One of our favourite American political podcasters, who focuses largely on the ex-President’s interminable legal manouevrings, intones at the end of each podcast: “Because Justice. Matters.” Emphasis on the final word. Well, so it does in Jamaica, too. Our Police Commissioner is looking increasingly haggard at each quarterly press conference, and our Prime Minister seemed … More Justice matters in Jamaica

Jamaicans for Justice launch a booklet of our Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms – made simple

August 7, 2022

As I mentioned, Jamaica is currently recognizing – and in most cases, celebrating – its 60th anniversary of Independence. This is such a large, round number that special attention is being paid to “Jamaica 60.” What progress has been made in the past six decades since the flag of the “Coloniser” descended a flagpole in … More Jamaicans for Justice launch a booklet of our Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms – made simple

The ruling on Nzinga King raises long-standing discrimination issues in Jamaica

February 11, 2022

It has not been a good week; not for the environment (permits were issued for the mining in Cockpit Country to go ahead) – or for human rights. On Wednesday, February 9, after a wait of around seven months, our Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn announced that she is recommending that no criminal … More The ruling on Nzinga King raises long-standing discrimination issues in Jamaica

Where is the justice for Nzinga King? Jamaica’s Advocates Network wants to know

January 25, 2022

It is easy to forget – or half-forget, when there are many issues unresolved and pushed on one side. In 2022, the events of 2021 already seem half-forgotten; especially as the Jamaican media has moved on to new dramas (read: Crime, COVID, Corruption, the “big” stories and the breaking news). You may remember that last … More Where is the justice for Nzinga King? Jamaica’s Advocates Network wants to know

Why is it taking so long to investigate the cutting of a Rastafarian’s dreadlocks by the police?

October 3, 2021

The alleged cutting of a Rastafarian woman’s dreadlocks by the police on July 22, 2021 caused a huge wave of outrage on Jamaican social media. I wrote about the case here for Global Voices. Well, once the storm of outrage had died down – and other news items and new “things to be shocked about” … More Why is it taking so long to investigate the cutting of a Rastafarian’s dreadlocks by the police?

September 21, 2021 in Jamaica: The car that broke down, the toast that burnt, and the polls that flopped

September 22, 2021

With tropical storms pottering around in the Atlantic (two are called Peter and Rose, the names of our nephew and niece, respectively), it has been warm and muggy in Kingston. Clouds appear and do not bring rain. It has been a week of surprising developments – not least that of the toast to “No Movement … More September 21, 2021 in Jamaica: The car that broke down, the toast that burnt, and the polls that flopped

Jamaica Update, September 13, 2021: Putting that awful August well behind us

September 14, 2021

It was an awful August, truly. Ten days in, the month had already got the thumbs down from me on many counts. The predictable but still shocking report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was one thing. Then there are the relentlessly soaring COVID-19 numbers, reflected in the tired faces of Minister Christopher … More Jamaica Update, September 13, 2021: Putting that awful August well behind us