The ruling on Nzinga King raises long-standing discrimination issues 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

Open Letter and call for peace for Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Ahmed from a Diasporan African

“So much trouble in the world,” sang Bob Marley, back in 1979. Well, some forty years later, little has changed. The world seems to be tearing itself apart, and often, apparently, barely able to hold it together. These are desperate times for many. On the continent of Africa, so dear to Marley’s heart and soul, … More Open Letter and call for peace for Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Ahmed from a Diasporan African

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

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

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

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