I hope the eastern side of Portland will eventually recover. Six years ago, I wrote an article about the “slow decay” in the parish of Portland, on the eastern end of the island. The eastern side of the parish is regularly described as green, lush, peaceful, off the beaten track, etc. Back in the 1980s … More Why is Portland, Jamaica, in such a mess?
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
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)
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
I wrote recently about the Caribbean Observatory on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, based in Antigua. According to their CEO, the group “continues to work with partners, CSOs, state entities to critically address the linkages between gender-based violence (GBV) and SRHR with the aim of transforming the environment, including the engagement of men and … More Gender-based violence and the young Jamaican woman
The number of murders in Jamaica passed the 1,000 mark for the year recently (can you imagine). It is always a grim milestone. We measure our “crime problem” by the number of lives lost – men, women and children – every year. They are not numbers. They are grandmothers. They are schoolchildren. They are abused … More Political will and maturity required for a consensus on crime in Jamaica
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
For many Jamaicans (including my family) Winnifred Beach, usually spelled with two “n”s, in East Portland is a haven of peaceful relaxation, a gentle “vibe,” and crystal clear waters. It is also one of the few public beaches left in this part of the parish. Until recently, the access road was incredibly rough and rocky, … More The theft of sand from Winnifred Beach in Portland, Jamaica must be properly investigated
Dr. Lucien Jones is Vice Chair and Convenor of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), which is chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Dr. Jones must sometimes feel like a voice crying in the wilderness, on the terrible numbers of Jamaicans (close to 500 last year!) killed on our roads – but he never gives … More Road Safety in Jamaica – Can “something dramatic happen”? A letter to the nation from Dr. Lucien Jones
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
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